25 Aug 09
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Originally posted by KazetNagorraFear of globilzation has nothing to do with thinking because you buy your meat from the local farmer instead of from company that has to ship its meat by truck for 3 days from some far off location, that you are being environmentally friendly.
Which is part of the irrational fear of globalization.
Buying local food IS environmentally friendly. It has nothing to do with (or shouldn't) fear of globalization.
25 Aug 09
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Originally posted by uzlessThere are many factors which influence the environmental impact of the production of food. If you simply buy cheap food and invest the money saved in solar panels on your house you're probably doing the environment a heck of a lot of a bigger favour.
Fear of globilzation has nothing to do with thinking because you buy your meat from the local farmer instead of from company that has to ship its meat by truck for 3 days from some far off location, that you are being environmentally friendly.
Buying local food IS environmentally friendly. It has nothing to do with (or shouldn't) fear of globalization.
25 Aug 09
Originally posted by KazetNagorraAh, finally, you offer a solution.
There are many factors which influence the environmental impact of the production of food. If you simply buy cheap food and invest the money saved in solar panels on your house you're probably doing the environment a heck of a lot of a bigger favour.
1. Use the saved money to offset your environmental impact.
Now, how many people actually follow this idea when they "buy local"??
25 Aug 09
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Originally posted by uzlessWho says buying local is good for the environment? Or perhaps I'm misunderstanding what you mean by buying local.
Ok, on one hand we have people saying "buy american " is bad because it encourages protectionism.
On the other hand we have people saying "buy local" is good because it encourages protection of the environment.
These concepts cannot be BOTH correct. They are in direct opposition to one another.
So, which one of you can give me a good answer?
Edit: Nevermind, you're talking about the expense and energy consumption with shipping. If you buy local are not also buying American?
25 Aug 09
Originally posted by quackquackThere are some obvious ways to buy local. The local farmers market, a local shop with trinkets made by the shop owner, etc.
How do you know whether the product is local or not? I bet a lot of you who are willing to pay more for local products are actually paying more for a mislabeled import. I'd just buy the product that best serves my needs.
25 Aug 09
I buy local because of taste and yes the shipping costs on the environment. But to say buying local will lead to a recession may be true, but it is almost impossible to buy all local. And there is the human factor, if I want Lobster or an orange and can afford it, I'm going to buy it, and it can't be found grown or caught locally. This may be a "perfect world" scenario but if each region could produce what they can sustainably there would often be a product that would be unique or desirable to another region.
25 Aug 09
Originally posted by StTitoLike I said, if it is of good quality and/or cheaper buy it!!
No, the free market does still work in the local level. I don't know about were you live, but the local meat and veggies grown in my area taste better and fairly competitive in price.
25 Aug 09
Originally posted by uzlessI think both concepts can be correct. Strictly buying American is in most cases just protectionism and buying strictly local may be better for the environment (though not necessarily).
Ok, on one hand we have people saying "buy american " is bad because it encourages protectionism.
On the other hand we have people saying "buy local" is good because it encourages protection of the environment.
These concepts cannot be BOTH correct. They are in direct opposition to one another.
So, which one of you can give me a good answer?
Even if you just mean that "Don't buy American" and "Do buy local" can't both be correct, that doesn't hold for people living outside of the US.
But yeah, buy what you want. American, cheaper, healthier, fattier, whatever.
26 Aug 09
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Originally posted by uzlessI am strongly becoming in favor of "buying local" as much as possible. Buy your products from as close to home as you can. My wife and i have altered our grocery and eating habits substantially recently. We now buy the bulk of our food from the local farmer's market. This, in turn, plays a large part in determining what we eat each week. As a result, this has shifted a considerable portion of our grocery budget to local sources and away from big agri-business.
Ok, on one hand we have people saying "buy american " is bad because it encourages protectionism.
On the other hand we have people saying "buy local" is good because it encourages protection of the environment.
These concepts cannot be BOTH correct. They are in direct opposition to one another.
So, which one of you can give me a good answer?
I've also started buying other things as locally as possible. My clothes, for example. You can get American made clothing still. It isn't easy, but it can be done. We have an American Apparel outlet in our town, so I bought a couple t-shirts there recently. I went online last week and bought myself a new pair of tennis shoes from New Balance. They were more expensive than I've paid in the past, but it's better than supporting some sweat shop in China.
My primary reason for buying local is not environmental. It is economic. We live in Michigan, for example. It is said that if every family spent $10 more on Michigan products per week, it would translate to $37 million more per week that is going into the local economy. This can only be a good thing.
26 Aug 09
Originally posted by rwingettWhen the rest of the world does the same the thing and refuses to buy cars that were made in Michigan how are you better off?
I am strongly becoming in favor of "buying local" as much as possible. Buy your products from as close to home as you can. My wife and i have altered our grocery and eating habits substantially recently. We now buy the bulk of our food from the local farmer's market. This, in turn, plays a large part in determining what we eat each week. As a result, this h ...[text shortened]... illion more per week that is going into the local economy. This can only be a good thing.
26 Aug 09
Originally posted by quackquackCars, by their nature, are made in a variety of places. Parts from here, parts from there, parts from everywhere. It isn't possible to buy an "American" made car anymore.
When the rest of the world does the same the thing and refuses to buy cars that were made in Michigan how are you better off?
But to answer your question, I don't want anyone else to buy Michigan products. I hope they don't. I want them to buy their own locally made products. And we should buy ours. Everyone will be better off for it.