History
The formation of Willits Economic LocaLization
WELL Overview
Why are we here? What are we doing?
People are critters with the same basic needs of other animals. The quality and
availability of air, water, food and shelter places limits on how many people can
exist. We use energy to do the work that makes these basic resources available.
We have a big problem, however. Most of the materials we rely on for our
survival come from far away places. Our food is shipped from hundreds to
thousands of miles away. Since it takes water to grow food, we are essentially
importing water as well. Our primary energy sources, fossil fuels and the
electricity generated by them, are all imported via transmission wires, pipelines
and tanker trucks. And they are non-renewable, meaning they will some day
become progressively less available. That day may be soon.
In sum, we are part of a global economy that is highly reliant on depleting
resources, and that damages ecological systems. This means we have little
control over, or even awareness of, the processes that sustain our lives and are
actively undermining the function of basic environmental services, such as
climate regulation. We have created a situation both insecure and irresponsible.
The reverse of this predicament would be a locally sustainable economy. I use
the rubric “Economic Localization” for the as yet undefined process we will go
through to create this system of living. Being local gives us an understanding of
and control over how our economy works. Being sustainable means we are
living off of the reliable income of solar energy and recycling essential nutrients
back to the land so that fertility is maintained.
The contrast between a locally sustainable economy and the globally
unsustainable one we now rely on is dramatic. Facing such a change can be
both daunting and inspiring. I’ll sketch out a vision of what this new economy
might look like.
Nearly all our food would be produced and consumed within the Little Lake
Valley. We would know our farmers, and indeed many of us would be farmers at
least part time. Food would be high quality and clean, grown using non-polluting,
life-promoting methods. The local landscape would be a vibrant mosaic of
colorful, ever-changing fields, interspersed with restored native habitats.
To move around, we would rely mainly on our own muscle power. Instead of
hitting the gym for a workout, we’d be walking and biking to and fro. The sound
and smell of cars and trucks would be a distant memory. Some electric vehicles
would still help a bit, but these would have a quiet hum. Railroads may come
alive again. Kids could explore their neighborhoods without the fear of being
flattened.The creative energy of our friends and neighbors would make life interesting.
Processing, storage and preparation of our local food would become a form of
functional art. Locally produced crafts of all kinds would be needed. The tools
for basic living would take on the character of the people making them. Things of
lasting value would be revered and the irrelevant or cheap ignored and
discarded. This would enhance our interpersonal relationships and the quality of
the environment we co-create.
We would develop a profound awareness of the beautiful cycles of life and know
our place within these. The universal values of personal integrity, good work,
community, and appreciation of our diverse talents would become ingrained in
the population.
So let’s make this process an exciting challenge. Whether you are mainly
motivated by fear, hope, desire or a combination of all these doesn’t really
matter. The key is that you remain committed and engaged in some way. We
will make use of whatever your particular interests and talents are because this is
a big, long-term project that will evolve and require many skills.
So, thanks for being here and “Go Willits!”