VOCAL FOR LOCAL

OUR CONSUMPTION CAN CHANGE THE WORLD VOCAL FOR LOCAL

The concept of sustainable living is not new to us. Living in harmony with nature is an age-old practice in our culture, synonymous with the famous phrase, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Today the world has grown to over 7.8 billion people consuming more than what is provided by nature. So, it is becoming a herculean task for holding this vast family together. Every individual is a potential consumer, which can affect the way the world is progressing. Sustainability in the way we consume is yet another concept for making this world more hospitable.

The choice of purchasing is a political choice. A responsible purchasing habit is as important as responsible voting. By becoming conscious consumers, we are creating a positive impact on the society we live in and the condition of the people around us. So, what are all the ways to become an ethical consumer?

• Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Repair the non-perishable goods we use
• Optimal use of resources. Control our wants and focus more on our needs
• Be more active in deciding what to buy, when to buy and how to buy
• Invest our money in an ethical system
• Learn to love the pre-loved, encourage the use of refurbished products
• Last but not least, consume and contract local goods and services

Proximal consumption has social, economic and environmental benefits in our society. It is the best way to be environmental friendly with an additional benefit for stimulating the local economy. Unlike our older generation, today’s global market is a large window, where we can dream and get everything that belongs to faraway places at a lower price. This globalisation era in which we can get anything at our fingertips is the epitome of human intelligence. Still, it also has some consequences in its basket.

The advantages of buying local can be explained in two aspects:

Socio-economic: Buying local means purchasing goods and services produced or available locally, near our home, city or state. This can also stimulate the economy near us, and the community, families and culture get supported, and we will thrive and grow more sustainably.

The quality control of locally made goods can be checked and controlled without breaking regional standards. They will be fresher compared to exported ones and economical due to revenue saved in transportation costs. Moreover, buying from our local community will form new connections, collaborations and mutual support. A local business will create communities that are more connected and prosperous. They will be a step above in a wide range of metrics. A significant amount of money is pumped into our neighbourhood and gets cycled back through our local economy. They are ultimately building a strong foundation for the economy.

When the consumers concentrate more on local goods and services, the working standards, purchasing capacity, and living standards of our immediate society will prosper. This will, in turn, benefit our standard of living. Every penny spent locally will generate double income for the local economy.

The sector that is most affected by the pandemic is small and medium enterprises in and around our community. A conscious effort to change our immediate surroundings is the core of the sustainability concept.

Environmental: When we shop locally, we cut down our food miles, thereby reducing our impact on the environment. It is a great way to reduce the supply chain efficiently. The carbon footprint of locally produced goods is very less. It also makes our community fabrics strong and resilient.

The automobile footprint is reduced by 26% in a society with more local businesses, creating fewer sprawls, crowds, habitat loss, and environmental contamination. Long travelled goods are the major contributor to the plastic menace on the planet. Longer the transit, the higher the chances of preservatives. Nearer means less packaging, less wastage, and fresher products.

As the faraway goods reach us, food waste’s menace also accompanies along with carbon footprint. The rise in demand for locally grown or sourced produce can reduce the chances of wastage of agricultural products drastically.

This pandemic has changed our way of taking even the smallest decision, mostly with spending and travel. It is very important for the local businesses to feel independent and less vulnerable in the darkness of the pandemic. If the local economy is managed sustainably, the resilience of the ecosystem will get improved. More resilient ecosystems can be beneficial for mitigating the impacts of droughts and floods.

In this festive season, we can invest where our home is, support an economy of friends and neighbours and build a community that prospers by thinking local.

To know more about We Grow Forest Foundation please visit our website https://wegrowforest.org/ or contact us at on 9778411911 or email at us plant@wegrowforest.org