Local needs met locally



"Localisation has to be the way forward for a Europe that wants more jobs, better social conditions, AND an improved environment, and at the same time a non-exploitative relationship with Eastern Europe and the developing world." -Caroline Lucas, MEP for the South East of England

Action Ideas

 * Local Exchange Trading Systems
 * Timebanks, Time based money
 * Local markets, including Farmers markets
 * Local directories
 * Local purchasing
 * Car sharing to Pick Your Own or local Farm Shop
 * WI markets
 * Green Maps
 * Surveys
 * Local Food Weeks
 * Join your local Freecycle network (give away or collect unwanted yet useful items)

Why it matters
A vibrant, diverse local economy is a healthy and resilient economy. Meeting local needs locally can mean less pollution and CO2 emissions from unnecessary transport, as well as providing economic opportunities. Some have tried to argue that this approach is anti-trade. Others contend it is just anti dependence on trade.

Related topics

 * Food
 * Reduce, reuse, repair & recycle
 * Walking
 * Urban & village design
 * High Street UK 2015
 * Seasonal UK
 * category:Low carbon future

Related Wikipedia content

 * Localism (politics)

International links

 * Short Circuit, Strengthening Local Economies for Security in an Unstable World: online edition of the book, by Richard Douthwaite. Includes updates to individual sections.
 * Green Map System
 * Green Map Atlas
 * Local Greenlinks Directories

UK links

 * Bigbarn
 * Bio Regional
 * Village Retail Services Association
 * Local Food Works
 * UK LETS
 * Time Banks UK
 * Freecycle

UK local links

 * London Green Map
 * Markets in London
 * Barton Hill green map, Bristol
 * Localise West Midlands

Campaigns

 * Campaigning to save local shops and services
 * Local Works Campaign for a Sustainable Communities Bill

News UK

 * Tuesday, May 9 2006, Office of Fair Trading to refer grocery market to Competition Commission.
 * Friday, April 28 2006, Friends fo the Earth launch "Shop Local First" campaign
 * Thursday, 9 March 2006, FoE welcomes call for investigation into supermarket power.
 * Films of Local Food Week in Southville, Ashton and Bedminster, Bristol, UK, October 28 2005
 * Public sector urged to support small firms, September 8 2005

Ireland links

 * The Cork Greenmap Project will provide a portal to the sustainable living resources of Cork. The overall vision is for the Cork Greenmap to be a long-term evolving resource for society and community in Cork City and beyond, providing people with the vision and tools to enhance their own lives and areas.

US links

 * Business_Alliance_for_Local_Living_Economies
 * Institute for local self reliance

External links checked Philralph 08:44, 16 March 2006 (UTC)