Localization has become a force around the world, but what is it exactly and why are people disgruntled with globalization? The Economics of Happiness conference in Bangalore, India explored localization and the pressures moving the world from global to local economies and ways of living. The short video introduction provides a succinct overview that leads directly into the full presentations of international experts and links to the documentary, "The Economics of Happiness." Whether you are interested in or currently participate in the local movement, there is much more to discover. These presentations provide in-depth knowledge of where we are, where we need to go, and how we can move to a more locally based lifestyle.

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  • Jillian Wolf

    I am inspired by the fact that the local movement is global -- and that on top of current research, we have a lot of history behind us proving the sustainability of local economies. Matthew Villareal, you can Google the name of your city along with the words "local farms," or you can contact your state USDA Extension Service for the information you seek. If you'd really like to know more about why local is so viable with regard to agriculture, read Laura Lengnick's book "Resilient Agriculture." Jenny, you sound like one of her case studies?

  • Matthew Villarreal

    My issue is, I don't know how to purchase from local farms, nor do I know where local farms are. How can I get more informed?

  • John Meng

    It is tremendously inspiring to be a part of steering humanity's economic perspectives from the 20th century's "bigger, better, more and more", to a slower, friendlier, more nieghborly sharing and living in local communities - "smaller, sustainable, less-is-more."

  • David Green

    While I agree with the sentiment I think the argument for localisation is too simplistic. As an example in England I'm not aware that we grow rice, a fairly staple product. Therefore we need to import. Likewise other countries around the world will be rich in some commodities and poor in others. Surely the challenge is to distribute our resources around the world as effectively as possible while ensuring that we do so in a sustainable manner. That could mean buying locally but it could also mean buying globally.

  • Jenny

    As a smaller cattle rancher, and also an owner of a locally based butcher shop which processes animals from over 100 different farms and ranches into restaurants and grocery stores and family kitchens, I could agree totally with this film. Every one of us can consciously purchase and use local products. Every one of us can consciously connect with a local farmer. Even if it is only one interaction MORE each year, the change will happen in our economies. However simple and easy it feels to use the big box stores, the multinational corporations, each step that each of us takes individually makes a difference, wherever we are in the world.

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  • Find out more about Local Futures, a pioneer of the new economy movement, dedicated to the renewal of community, ecological health and local economies worldwide.
  • See what moving towards a gift economy might look like in Charles Eisenstein's Sacred Economics.
  • Support your local farmers' market and businesses.

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