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Green America's Fixes from the Green Economy
In Green America's latest version of RealGreen, Alisa Gravitz's 7 Fixes from the Green Economy gives suggestions for rebuilding our flawed economy from the ground up.
Some of these ideas are on the macro-level, like creating more green jobs. Others are changes you can make in your lifestyle. My favorite of the personal solutions was #7, Building Community.
7. Building Community
“Whatever the problem,” says Dr. Lynnaea Lumbard, psychologist and interfaith minister, “community is the answer.” Connected, resilient communities help people get through tough times—and celebrate during good times. Now is the time to get started. Get to know your neighbors. Do a neighborhood skills inventory—so people can help each other fix their roofs, repair their bikes, mend a torn coat—saving money and building community. Plan a community garden, a neighborhood garage sale, or clothing swap. Start a dinner or home improvement co-op. (Get more ideas and learn more here.)
“Whatever the problem,” says Dr. Lynnaea Lumbard, psychologist and interfaith minister, “community is the answer.” Connected, resilient communities help people get through tough times—and celebrate during good times. Now is the time to get started. Get to know your neighbors. Do a neighborhood skills inventory—so people can help each other fix their roofs, repair their bikes, mend a torn coat—saving money and building community. Plan a community garden, a neighborhood garage sale, or clothing swap. Start a dinner or home improvement co-op. (Get more ideas and learn more here.)
The page it links to, Cooperation is Green, is also very good. Who knew you could save money by cooking with your neighbors? And while eBay and Craigslist are well-established venues for goods and services, what about good old-fashioned bartering? Sharing is another way to reduce and/or recycle. Funny how so many virtues from the past are getting recycled as green values for the present and future.
Tags: Barter, Community, Local, Organize, Trade
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