WILL THE WAR COST US THE CLIMATE?
click above to read Daniel's essay, which appeared
on the Bohemian letters page
under the heading "The
Time is Now"
INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY is leading the transition to a more democratic and sustainable future - through strategic analysis, grassroots political action, shifts in public policy, economic relocalization, and developing alternative institutions.
THE CRISIS: Climate change. Oil wars. Species extinction. Genetic damage. Increasing poverty and hunger. Most of the problems we face are symptoms of a globalized economic system which is destroying the planet and undermining democracy, a system which values corporate profit over human needs or environmental health. It's based on endless growth and overconsumption; we have already exceeded the carrying capacity of the Earth, and are heading toward world-wide collapse. Corporate globalization is a sinking ship; if we do not act now, it will take us - and the Earth - down with it. We need more than lifeboats - we need islands of local sustainability from which to grow a new culture and build a better world.
THE CHALLENGE: We have perhaps 10 years left to change direction toward a more sustainable society. This will require profound transformations in almost every aspect of our lives, from food, energy, and transportation, to work, money, and governance. Shifting to an ecologically-based way of living requires a huge collective effort, greater than the shift to wartime production during World War II. We can do it, but we cannot wait until the collapse becomes obvious - we must begin now.
THE VISION: Imagine a community that's reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to zero, replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, creating green buildings and clean transit systems, restoring forests and wetlands, revitalizing its watersheds, and transitioning from industrial agriculture and factory farming to a sustainable, permaculture-based local food system. Imagine local currencies, green jobs at living wages, thriving local businesses, and visionary, responsible local government. Picture our entire community working together toward a common vision of a sustainable future. Now picture this happening here, starting today.
THE OPPORTUNITY: We can make Sonoma County a laboratory for developing sustainable solutions and new approaches in key areas such as food, water, energy, transportation, and housing. Our successes will become models for other communities to follow, spreading across US and beyond.
OUR STRATEGY: A small, effective, locally-based non-profit combining research, advocacy, and grassroots organizing to raise individual awareness, shift public policy, and build a strong, effective local movement for economic democracy and ecological sustainability.
Projects
Community Choice Power |
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Community Choice enables our city and county to purchase electricity for all users, commercial and residential, directly from green energy providers, rather than from PG&E. It also allows for municipal "Solar Bonds" to finance conservation & efficiency programs, and local solar and wind generation.
GE-Free Sonoma County |
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GE-Free Sonoma County is a grassroots campaign to educate farmers, food businesses, and consumers about the risks of GE crops, and to promote sustainable local farming and food systems in Sonoma County.
Voting Democracy |
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We need more effective and strategic local campaigns to elect progressive
policymakers and initiatives. We need verifiable paper ballots, campaign
spending limits, and more democratic voting methods to make sure every vote
counts.