by Sat-Jiwan Khalsa •
The economic media buzz, as well as sales contracts on three houses on my block, lead me to think the current economic recession is at the beginning of an upswing. I don't tend to put much weight into mainstream "media buzz," but I don't doubt its ability to lower AND raise something as fickle as "consumer confidence." Everything is certainly not all rosy and peachy like our spring blooms, but sometimes a little positive thinking is what we really need.
Whether the effects are true and whether the economic stimulus programs are the cause doesn't matter much. As consumer confidence improves we should be focused on how best to rebuild OUR economy, not the economy of Wall Street, stockholders, CEOs and foreign investors. As we start spending more dollars, let's rebuild the local, sustainable economy that serves us and our communities, making both more self-reliant.
The worst effects of global warming will make the woes of the current recession pale in comparison. So right now as (I hope) we rise out of this relatively smaller economic crisis, we should be preparing for the greater threat of global environmental collapse. But let's do this in as positive way that we can. Using a technique from Transition Towns (www.transitiontowns.org), you employ "back casting": set forward and positive thinking goals, then work backwards to find the time lines and tools we need to get there. Along the way, we'll continue to rebuild community confidence, and strengthen our local economies, infrastructure and resources. To get started, explore and support our current community resources and join in with efforts to create new ones.
Farmers markets give you an opportunity to check out local fresh food with a friend.
Support and strengthen resources we already have
Local food. The farmers markets are in full swing (Wed. at Langley Park, Sat. in downtown Silver Spring, and Sun. in Old Town Takoma). Look for more local food on the shelves of our natural foods and grocery stores, including the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Coops. Can you pledge to buy one third or one half of your food from local sources (at least during the bountiful months)? Or challenge yourself further (like some friends of mine are doing) to buy not more than 5 lbs per week of non-local food (including the weight of any packaging and any restaurant or take out meals).
Save some money by planting your own edible garden (no matter how small). If you don't have a lot of space, look to window sills and boxes, containers on porches, and for community gardens in MoCo (www.MontgomeryParks.org or call 301-650-2635) and in DC (see: www.WashingtonGardener.com ). On the White House lawn they're even starting an organic garden (and you shouldn't be too surprised that the "Mid America CropLife Association", an industry trade group, has already lobbied for a requirement to use pesticides!)
Local sharing/trading. We can save a lot of resources and build inter-dependence by sharing the resources and skills we have with neighbors. These could be shared freely or worked out on a formal or informal barter system. We haven't done this extensively on my block, but I know where I can go to get discounts on (and possibly barter for) professional hair cuts, singing lessons, body work... and green building consulting. Many other examples of this already exist: babysitting coops, Takoma Park and Silver Spring Cooperative Nursery Schools, and even a friend who only cooks 3 nights each week, yet has 7 nights of fresh, home-cooked meals. Alternating with two other families, they each cook triple-sized portions twice a week, receive meals 4 nights a week, and fend for themselves the remaining day. One resource to help share goods and resources is the very simple website: iShareStuff.org
Local heating fuel. If you can shift some or a majority of your heating needs to biomass fuel in a clean burning stove, you can save a lot of money and reduce your carbon footprint over fossil fuels. Some neighbors got together to help clear a tree that had to come down by chopping it up and hauling it down the street for firewood. As "payment", the homeowner was gifted a nice stack of wood. And of course, there's the corn cooperative providing a local pickup point for MD-grown, sustainably-raised corn used in specially designed pellet stoves. More at: www.SaveOurSky.com
Local shopping. Try to "spend your money where your house is". Either at local, independent businesses or consignment and thrift stores. Both help you recirculate dollars and goods into the local community. Chain stores have highly centralized services, and profits are moved out of the host communities to corporate headquarters and stockholders. However, local businesses have local owners who live in the community and recycle their dollars within the community, demonstrated by a study that shows 3.5 times more revenue stays in the community when money is spent at local businesses. This is referred to as the "multiplier effect". Can you take the "10 percent challenge" and move 10 percent of your income to local businesses? How about 100 percent of whatever stimulus package monies you receive?
Local beer. Yes, there are several ways to take the leisurely act of drinking beer and make it into a social and environmental statement and help contribute to the kind of world we want to live in... and it's fun and tastes good. Look for organic and/or local; avoid imports from the West Coast or across the Atlantic. See if you can purchase beer made in the tri-state area (MD, VA, DC) or adjacent states (PA, DE, WV). Some of my favorites are: Clipper City/Oxford Organics (Baltimore, MD), Flying Dog (Frederick, MD), Williamsburg Alewerks (Williamsburg, VA), Hook and Ladder (Silver Spring, MD, but contract brewed in NY). Look for community-based beer (aka a brew pub): Franklin's in Hyattsville. Or attend a Green Drinks event (www.GreenDrinks.org ).
Make some home brew, reuse bottles, barter with friends or neighbors. Order organic ingredients (from CA) at www.BrewOrganic.com or get supplies from MD Home Brew (Columbia) www.mdhb.com . And read "Fermenting Revolution: How to Drink Beer and Save the World" by Silver Spring author, Chris O'Brien. (See: www.BeerActivist.com )
Create new local resources
Alternative Local Currency. By agreeing to be paid with and spend money in a local currency, individual members and businesses ensure their value-added time and "dollars" are circulated within the local community. If you receive Hours, they must be redeemed on local goods and services creating a network of inter-supporting members. In Ithaca, NY "Ithaca Hours" has been active since 1991. And though not local to DC, they have inspired many other local currency communities including our neighbors in the Anacostia area with their Anacostia Hours. I'm not sure if expanding Anacostia Hours would make sense for Takoma/Silver Spring or if we should have our own Takoma/Silver Spring Hours. More on alternative local currencies at: www.AnacostiaHours.org
Transition towns. In response to the dual impending crises of global warming and peak oil, a new movement is gathering to use a positive vision to build local infrastructures to deal with threats of insecure resources. By increasing local self-reliance, we'll enjoy a better life and be better prepared to deal with adverse situations down the road. You can find out more about Transition Towns in Mike Tabor's column in this issue of the Voice or attend the next meeting of the local group: a pot luck breakfast May 25 at 9:30 a.m. The assignment is to bring food to share made from locally-grown sources. More info at: MD TransitionMaryland.ning.com or DC Ecolocity.ning.com
Sat Jiwan Iklé-Khalsa, is a recent green home renovator and a green building/renovation consultant (and occasional gardener, canner, home brewer and bread maker). Find past articles, local green building stores, info, resources, including annotated green house renovation photos and services at: www.Truthful-Living.com or call 301.891.8891
For latest green articles and discussion visit the Green Voice blog: www.takoma.com/green
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