Ending Note

This coursework has pushed me to examine the central question of my educational pursuit. Why did I want to study this, here, and what do I want to achieve? I like how this evolved from a space where I explored different questions I have while toying with Mean Girls memes, to a space where I provided serious answers to my own questions, and even began answering others' questions.

In my learning process, I've made key changes to my blog, such as toning down on ecofeminism, because I believe in reformist rather than radical environmental discourses.

I intend to continue blogging, because I truly enjoyed the process of writing to engage a wider audience. Blogging has helped me learn a lot more than exams have, and it has created "intellectual output" that I'd actually revisit when I've forgotten about it. Since I'm writing for a topic I care deeply about, too many things were left unsaid. I also have a punny blog title, which is handy.

I'm left with many more questions to ponder. Ultimately, it's important to remain optimistic and proactive.

That was my Prom Queen speech. Thank you for reading!

Book Review: Doughnut Economics

In Doughnut Economics (2017), Kate Raworth explores limitations of modern economics theories. (A prominent female academic!)

Merging social boundaries into the planetary boundaries structure, she introduces the Doughnut for social and and planetary boundaries for development. This video, by Oxfam International, summarises her key ideas. Here's the full paper, published in 2012.

In the 2017 update, social boundaries have 12 dimensions, derived from internationally agreed minimum standards for human wellbeing, as established in 2015 by the Sustainable Development Goals. They are jobs, education, food, networks, gender equality, social equity, political voice, peace and justice, and access to health services, energy, water, and housing. Together with the 9 PBs, they encompass human well-being, and promote inclusive and sustainable economic development.

It also quantifies human transgression on these boundaries. Just like overshooting PBs concern ecologists, shortfalls under the social foundation concern social development.

(Source: The Lancet)

The Doughnut answers to the criticism that PBs only focus on biophysical aspects of resilience. It provides the social dimension of what a safe space for humanity means.

This is another instance where, instead of criticising the PBs for oversimplification, or disagreeing with the actual boundaries or the extent of human transgression, researchers have used the framework constructively by tying in other important aspects of sustainable development.