Living local is not an extreme sport; it is an altered way of thinking, and one that every person can effectively adopt in even small ways.Will living local alone save the world? No. But it is a great and helpful start! While no individual thing will cure the environmental and economic challenges we humans have created throughout the world, focusing on ways you can support local small businesses and farms is a great way to start! We must each do our part in a number of ways, and living local is just one of them.
Do I need to be a locavore to make a difference? No. Some amazing people work on following this lifestyle philosophy of eating only locally resourced foods. Kudos to them! But this movement is not for everyone. We must admit that we have become globalized consumers and eaters, expecting things like coconut oil, vanilla, and strawberries year round, whether they are in or out of season or grown within a thousand miles. It can be difficult to even think about living entirely locally. Clearly not everything is available from a local source. But even typical consumers who change their spending habits in marginal ways can make a huge difference and feel good about their contribution to their local community, and therefore, the environment at large.
How can I live more locally?
*It is important to remember that, although food is a big part of it, living local is not just about what you eat. Think about how to more responsibly resource all of the items an individual consumes, from lamp shades and socks to sofas and toasters.
*Remember that your dollars may be some of the most powerful ways you speak. When we purchase products we cast silent, but telling, votes about what we put value in and what we support.
*Research your options and break old spending habits. Make a point of reaching out to a small local business you may never have supported before. Do not let shyness or an introverted day inhibit you from pursuing the farm stand on the side of the road instead of defaulting to the silent shopping cart.
*Consider ways in which your consumption of frivolous items may be keeping you from having the purchasing power to buy higher quality, but slightly more expensive, local products.
*Consider ways you can help your local community: volunteer locally, live closer to your own work location and try to commute in ways that use as little fossil fuel as possible, be neighborly, get involved in the community, advocate for public works that better local life and the environment.
*Support reused items by going to flea markets, auctions, tag sales, and thrift stores. Though the idea of a hand-me-down is often looked down upon, it is a false attribute we place upon an item. By reusing or re-purposing completely good items, we can cut down on unnecessary manufacturing and landfill surplus.
*Figure out what local means to you. Define your geographical or political boundaries and try to stick to first resourcing goods within your set limits whenever possible.
*Get others involved!
