Local is our future : steps to an economics of happiness

From disappearing livelihoods to financial instability, from climate chaos to an epidemic of depression, we face crises on a number of seemingly unrelated fronts. This well-referenced book traces the common roots of these problems in a globalized economy that is incompatible with life on a finite planet. But__Local is Our Future__does more than just describe the problem: it describes the policy shifts and grassroots steps - many of them already underway around the world - that can move us towards the local and, thereby, towards a better world. 'Local is Our Future' by Helena Norberg-Hodge connects the dots between our social, economic, ecological and spiritual crises, revealing how a systemic shift from global to local can address these seemingly disparate problems simultaneously. Distilling the wisdom gleaned from four decades of activism and direct experience in both the global North and South, Helena lucidly deconstructs the old narrative of 'progress' through technological advance and corporate growth, while presenting a concise and compelling case for economic localization. Her arguments are supported by real-world examples proving that – beneath the radar of the mainstream media and far from the fetishized techno-utopia of Silicon Valley – healthy and vibrant futures, built upon connection to nature and community, are already in the making. Endorsements: Bill McKibben' - There is no more important task than re-localizing our economies... And this book will tell you how it's done.' Charles Eisenstein - 'A potent conceptual lens... to reverse the ruin of culture, nature, and place.' David Suzuki - 'The argument for economic decentralization, powerfully and passionately presented in this fine book, is one that we can no longer ignore.' Judy Wicks - 'An essential guidebook, lighting the way towards economies of human and ecological wellbeing.' Iain McGilchrist - 'Localization...is the only hope for the future. Read this book!' Helena Norberg-Hodge is a pioneer of the new economy movement and the recipient of both the Right Livelihood Award and the Goi Peace Prize. Through books, articles, interviews, films and public lectures on five continents, she has been promoting an economics of personal, social and ecological well-being for more than 40 years. She is the author of the inspirational classic 'Ancient Futures', the producer and co-director of the award-winning film 'The Economics of Happiness', and 'Planet Local: A Quiet Revolution'. She is the founder and director of Local Futures. Globalization has no future. Political stability is a thing of the past; climate chaos is intensifying; anxiety disorders are of epidemic proportions; extremism and fundamentalism are becoming the norm. And yet we cling to the wreckage. Politicians of every hue continue to be in thrall to the global market. To challenge 'free trade, ' which is the very essence of globalization, is all but unthinkable. But challenge it we must. And replace it. The future will be local. And the good news is that it is already happening. Under the radar of the mainstream media, a worldwide localization movement is emerging. On every continent, people are coming together to claw back control over their own economies, and in doing so are rebuilding connections to one another, while repairing fractured communities and damaged environments From a renowned pioneer of the anti-globalization movement, a primer on working towards a localized world From disappearing livelihoods to financial instability, from climate chaos to an epidemic of depression, we face crises on a number of seemingly unrelated fronts. This well-referenced book traces the common roots of these problems in a globalized economy that is incompatible with life on a finite planet. But Local is Our Future does more than just describe the it describes the policy shifts and grassroots steps many of them already underway around the world that can move us towards the local and, thereby, towards a better world. From disappearing livelihoods to financial instability, from climate chaos to an epidemic of depression, we face crises on a number of seemingly unrelated fronts. This well-referenced book traces the common roots of these problems in a globalized economy that is incompatible with life on a finite planet. But Local is Our Future does more than just describe the problem: it describes the policy shifts and grassroots steps - many of them already underway around the world - that can move us towards the local and, thereby, towards a better world. Traces the common roots of the problems in a globalized economy that is incompatible with life on a finite planet. The book describes the policy shifts and grassroots steps - many of them already underway around the world - that can move us towards the local and, thereby, towards a better world