Buy Local: One Way to Walk your Green Talk

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they be executed”. Translated into today’s language that equates to actions speak louder than words.  Translate again to sustainability language, and eco actions speak louder than eco speak.

So, how do you walk your green talk?  Misconceptions encountered in our eco friendly consulting illustrate that people falsely believe that a sustainable lifestyle is an all or nothing approach.  The truth of the matter is that you do not have to live a 100% sustainable lifestyle to make a significant difference.

Consider a growing movement of buying local food.  While buying local is a sustainability concept, to some, that isn’t even factored into their decision process.  They just want to support local businesses.  However, buying local extends beyond that of food purchases.  Purchasing locally made products also supports sustainable businesses in our communities.  Consider the additional benefits to buying local.

• Local businesses produce more income, jobs, and tax receipts for local communities.
• For every $100 you spend at one of our local businesses, $68 will stay in the community.
• Local businesses are more likely to utilize local ads, banks and other services.
• Local businesses donate more money to nonprofits and are more accountable to their local communities.
• Supporting local businesses preserves the economic diversity of our communities and the unique character of our neighborhoods.
• Supporting local businesses is good for the environment, because it cuts down on fuel consumption.

As you can see, living a sustainable lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to have an all or nothing approach; you can select the sustainability concepts that resonate the most with you and walk your green talk that way.