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Local sustainability is a community design approach that promotes economic growth while protecting natural resources. It includes sustainable development, local food production, and energy use. The philosophy encourages buying local and supporting small businesses to benefit the community. Cooperation between residents and government is necessary for success.
Local sustainability is an integrated approach to community design that protects natural resources while promoting economic growth. Local sustainability is not a single initiative, but rather a collection of ideas to help communities meet their needs close to home. This can include anything from housing to food to energy consumption. The concept emphasizes that community needs should be met locally and with civic solutions that help municipalities become self-sufficient. Proponents believe this protects the environment and encourages reinvestment of areas.
Sustainable development is a primary component of local sustainability. Such development works with an area’s natural resources and encourages growth that does not compromise the ability of future generations to use the land. For example, sustainable development might call for banning shopping malls that require deforestation and huge energy use in favor of developing a downtown business district with locally owned businesses. Another strategy may involve a comprehensive public transit system that discourages individual car use for commuting to work. These approaches can encourage economic growth without depleting natural resources.
Food production and consumption also depend to a large extent on local sustainability. Sustainable communities typically establish farmers’ markets that feature locally grown and produced foods, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, breads, and meats. This also allows consumers to avoid foods that have been shipped and to use excessive amounts of energy in the transportation process. Markets also help communities know exactly where their food comes from and support local businesses.
Energy use, typically thought of as a business domain, has also become prominent in the local sustainability movement. Communities can maximize natural resources to help deliver energy more sustainably. For example, solar panels or wind turbines that generate energy produce cleaner energy than oil companies. After the initial investment in equipment, these alternative strategies could even provide free energy, which helps residents and businesses save money.
Local efforts towards sustainability avoid large corporate involvement. Residents are encouraged to buy local and support small businesses through corporate chains. Proponents believe this non-corporate philosophy allows economic growth to benefit the community rather than a distant corporate entity that may not reinvest profits locally.
Sustainability requires the establishment of a new mindset that can be fulfilled close to home, thus making cooperation between residents and government necessary. Initiatives can fail if, for example, residents want a passable commercial area, but government officials approve plans for department stores instead. Similarly, officials looking for a local transit system should work with residents to devise one that will be most useful. Collaboration can help ensure that elected officials and residents each know the needs of the community and what can be met when local sustainability is the goal.
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