Going Local
… focusing on the importance of going local to reap the advantages of local economic transactions. (For example, about 45¢ of every dollar spent at a locally-owned business circulates within the community, compared to only about 15¢ if spent elsewhere.) This Going Local category includes the thoughts of local business owners, community members, and students in the articles.
In Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age, Michael H. Shuman asserts (p. 50), “The key [to sustainable community] is to start with self-reliance and frame local business, labor, and environmental laws and policies around it.
Globalization, on the other hand, lacks all the positive qualities of going local!
(Is capitalism itself the problem? See Michael Carriere’s interview of Alex Knight.)
Local and Global Economies
The development of a self-sustaining regional economy is an Alliance imperative. (Michael H. Shuman presents an extended argument in his 2000 book Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age.) As we state in our Goal #4: “To create … more
Regional Thinking Must Rely on Broad Community Involvement
By Deana Zosky and Steven Bliss — Broad-based community participation is fundamental to Renew Lehigh Valley’s work. The organization seeks to draw on a range of perspectives in determining our overall direction and in developing our policy agenda. This collaborative … more
Local for the Future
by Christina Bianco — In a market economy, the main goal is to achieve efficiency. Given that this statement is true, why do businesses ship products across state and international borders when the local community is capable of supplying the … more
Sustainability Through Localization
by Gwen Colegrove — Change, Change, Oh Change, She Is A-Comin’! And what is driving this change? Why, the end of cheap oil. This means that our lifestyles will change. But, oh, so many of us hate change. And why … more
Building a Local Living Economy
by Julie Thomases — As part of the socially responsible business movement, the Sustainable Business Network of the Lehigh Valley was founded in 2006. SBNLV supports a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit, considering the needs of all … more
Local Action Will Build a Better Future
by Jennifer Tillman — It may take a little while, but people will catch on. Soon enough, our society will realize that change is necessary, and sustainable living will be seen as mainstream. This generation will be the one to … more
Need to make a purchase? Think Independent!
by Kim Schaffer and Josh Bushey — Have you made a purchase from an independent Lehigh Valley business recently… a T-shirt, a meal, home goods, or a gift for a loved one? If so, you probably got something pretty cool—the … more
U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
[See below for ways you can help!] A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7% below 1990 levels … more