Power to the Local – Utah Population & Environment Council

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about all the bombs dropping on innocent civilians, messy global networks of oil production, blocked shipping channels, and the horrific amount of money being spent on death and destruction instead of life and renewal. And it has left me feeling overwhelmed, angry, and powerless.

And then I saw this short video on Daily Good (an email I received from Service Space / KarmaTube).

Watch Here

This 7-minute video changed my thinking and reinvigorated my soul.

We have a lot of power locally to make the kinds of changes that matter to us!

The “Localization Movement” is the idea of shifting economic, cultural, and political systems away from global, centralized structures and toward local communities. It emphasizes producing goods, making decisions, and organizing life at a smaller, more local scale.

The Localization Movement has been created as a response to globalization—the expansion of worldwide trade, multinational corporations, and the “growth at all costs” mentality. While globalization has a few benefits (like access to cheaper goods), it also weaken local economies, increases environmental damage, reduces cultural diversity, and concentrates power in large corporations.

Localization does just the opposite. It is a way to preserve cultural diversity, improve social cohesion, and enhance environmental integrity. It supports place-based thinking by valuing distinct local knowledge, traditions, and ecosystems.

Components of the Localization Movement include:

Support of local economies

Buying goods and services from local businesses, farmers, and producers
Keeping our money circulating within our own communities
Supporting “Buy Local” initiatives and campaigns that strengthen small business
Creating community gardens to increase the food security of our neighbors
Participating in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and food co-ops

Shorter supply chains

Increase local economic resilience
Reduce transportation costs and emissions
Make food production more sustainable

Increased community resilience and decision-making

Greater control at the local level rather than distant governments or big corporations
Stronger emphasis on democracy and participation

Cultural preservation

Protection of local traditions, languages, and identities
Support of indigenous knowledge and made-by-hand skills

So, with these new insights, I am energized to do more locally, excited to buy my produce weekly at farmers markets, and eager to engage more with my neighbors and my community. I hope you, too, will find ways to support Localization in your own way.

Let’s rely less on faraway systems we don’t control and strengthen the wonderful communities we live in!