About
About the California Doughnut Economics Coalition.
California is the most populous state in our nation and has an economy equivalent to the fourth largest in the world. Despite our plentiful resources, many in California struggle to meet their needs. The natural resources in our state also face threats from climate change, water scarcity, forest fires, and sea level rise.
At CalDEC, we believe that the unmet needs of our people and the degradation of our environment are the result of economic activities that prioritize and reward the exploitation of people and resources for wealth accumulation over the responsible stewardship of resources to ensure everyone's needs are met.
We at CalDEC seek to educate and institutionalize the principles of Doughnut Economics into local, regional, and statewide economic planning in California. CalDEC is one of the many networks within the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL).
Our purpose.
Initiate regenerative and distributive economic systems throughout California, using 21st-century Doughnut Economics thinking.
Our vision.
We envision an economy where the people and ecology of California thrive.
We envision a place where everyone has adequate shelter, healthy food, quality education, sustainable livelihood, a political voice, healthcare, and other resources to meet their fundamental human needs.
Meeting these needs cannot come at the expense of the natural ecosystems upon which all life depends. In our vision, the health of water, soil, air, and other living beings are also taken into account. These living systems on which we rely may not be sacrificed in order for companies, governments, or individuals to pollute or exploit.
We envision the Doughnut as the method by which government, businesses, individuals, and all participants in society measure whether our activities are contributing to the benefit or to the harm of our society and ecosystem.
The Doughnut enables practical and transparent economic planning. The reasoning behind all budget allocations is grounded in caring for people and the environment, ensuring that California is a harmonious, joyful, purpose-driven state contributing to the wider global movement of creating a safe and just planet for all life to thrive on Earth long-term.
Our strategy.
Strategy 01
A new economic narrative
Raise awareness, develop understanding, and instill passion towards creating transformative change in California, based on the simple tool of Doughnut Economics to frame our collective efforts.
Strategy 02
Collaborate with changemakers
Connect with like-minded individuals, groups, and organizations aligned with Doughnut Economic principles, seeking to enhance and amplify their work.
Strategy 03
Spark Doughnut initiatives and policy change
Engage in opportunities to influence and contribute to governmental, institutional, and business policy initiatives required for systemic change.
How CalDEC came to be.
A working timeline. We'll fill it in as we go.
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2020
Founding conversations
A small group of California-based Doughnut Economics practitioners connects via the Doughnut Economics Action Lab website and begins meeting regularly to ask how the framework could be adapted to a state of 39 million people.
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2021
CalDEC established
Monthly video calls during which this self-directed group evolves from a book club to aiming for Doughnut-aligned metrics and action in California.
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2022
Defining CalDEC vision and goals
Invitation to the Cisco Foundation's Global Climate grant process prompts clearer articulation of CalDEC's strategy and Theory of Change.
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2023
Nonprofit status granted
CalDEC receives federal 501(c)(3) status, Tax ID 88-2139941, and continues as a worker self-directed sociocracy. After several iterations, our grant application gets approved.
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2024
California Doughnut v1 developed and released
CalDEC hires 12 very part-time roles, researches and develops CA Snapshot v1, then launches it at the end of the year.
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2025
Snapshot v2, deep-dive report and expansion across the state
Now all-volunteer again, we research and publish the deep-dive full CA report, along with our CA Snapshot v2. Regional Doughnut groups take shape in San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Placer, and Petaluma.
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2026
Today
Official launch of the full CA Doughnut report. Focus on supporting the many local and regional Doughnut efforts.