Think Global, Buy Local

“Think globally, act locally” urges people to consider the health of the entire planet and to take action in their own communities and cities. Long before governments began enforcing environmental laws, individuals were coming together to protect habitats and the organisms that live within them. These efforts are referred to as grassroots efforts. They occur on a local level and are primarily run by volunteers and helpers.

Back in the day, the one brand of bread on the shelf had wheat grown in Nebraska and shipped to a local baker, usually by rail, to be combined and cooked and packaged and delivered to the local market. The other choice was to bake your own from a mix.

Today there is a whole aisle full of every variety, shape, size, texture, and brand of breads, rolls, buns and baguettes baked from around the world and delivered to our grocery to give the customer choices never before imagined.

So the great thinkers realized the big picture by working together and trading ideas, techniques, products the entire planet could prosper.

But… there is always a butt.

If you taste prefer a rye bread from Israel or pumpernickel from Germany, what will happen to Brenda’s Shake and Bake shop down on the corner? Competition is what makes or breaks a company.

So awhile back there was this nationalist campaign to “Buy American”. It was about the time the Japanese cars started to arrive along with the Middle East oil embargo. Buy products that say “Built in the U.S.A.” while Michigan was closing down plants making gas-guzzling cars. Even after 9/11 all those magnetic flags people put on their cars to show the National Pride were made overseas.

Look around in your own house. Where was your clothing made? Where did your furniture come from? Who constructed your refrigerator? Was your television ‘Made in the U.S.A.’?

Maybe we have forgotten we are all in this together?