Posted on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 by
Michael •
Bill McKibben wrote a good book about local solutions to global threats, like climate change, called Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future…
McKibben’s animating idea is that we need to move beyond “growth” as the paramount economic ideal and pursue prosperity in a more local direction, with cities, suburbs, and regions producing more of their own food, generating more of their own energy, and even creating more of their own culture and entertainment. He shows this concept blossoming around the world with striking results, from the burgeoning economies of India and China to the more mature societies of Europe and New England. For those who worry about environmental threats, he offers a route out of the worst of those problems; for those who wonder if there isn’t something more to life than buying, he provides the insight to think about one’s life as an individual and as a member of a larger community.
It’s fascinating to assert that local actions can have a real impact on such huge problems as global warming. This was brought to mind today by an encouraging post in Westford, VT on Front Porch Forum…
As someone very interested in renewable energy systems that works in Westford, I’m encouraged by the recent posts from neighbors sharing their experiences with solar hot water heaters. These forward-thinking individuals made the investment with less information and financial incentives than is now available and today they are reaping the financial and environmental rewards.
Other neighbors have recently installed photovoltaic systems or are considering wind to generate their own electricity.
Please continue sharing your stories. You are an inspiration.
Yes, by all means, let’s keep inspiring each other!