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About

About the Guide

We all know the importance of relocalizing. But how? Here’s our guide to Relocalization Made Easy.

Based on the January 2012 issue of GRID Magazine , we began asking…Is it locally made? Is it made from sustainable materials? Can it be purchased from a locally owned business? Is it awesome? i.e. does it follow the BUD principle of Beautiful, Useful & Durable? Then we need to make it easy for people to find the item.

Our city already has several prominent green networking sources: Grid Magazine, Green Jobs Philly, Sustainable Business Network (SBN), Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND), Greater Philadelphia Environmental Network (GPEN), Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), Farm to City, Volk Libre, the annual Philadelphia Local Food Guide, and more.

Of these, only SBN provides a categorized catalog.  Green Jobs Philly has a single page which is not regularly updated.  Grid and Green Jobs Philly provide categorized sections issue by issue.  GPEN has an alphabetical list of environmental groups.

There is not yet a categorized green catalog which sets specific green standards, allows green businesses and nonprofit organizations to submit current information free into a moderated list, then opens up the list for browsing by the general public.

The list would be moderated to admit local solution-oriented groups and programs inviting specific local action.  It would not include mere crisis-oriented bad-news groups and media.  It would not include mere general advocacy groups.  They must invite participation in distinct actions.  We specifically prefer solutions which:

* transfer authority to grassroots groups to lower the costs of living, using environmental technologies;
* decrease dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power;
* decrease waste of water and contamination of air;
* provide effective alternatives to automobiles;
* provide nonprofit holistic health services;
* expand regional food self-sufficiency;
* expand reliance on regional upcycled materials;
* expand local manufacture of durable essential goods;
* promote mutual aid;
* provide backing for community credits and neighborhood currencies;
* release local creativity to accomplish the above.

The availability of such a service, print and online, would accelerate participation in existing groups, stimulate new initiatives, cross pollinate various efforts, expand our regional capability, and serve as a resource for jobseekers, entrepreneurs, organizers, volunteers, interns.  Thus: the Philly Eco Guide.

Reference, Regional

References from around the US

© Meenal Raval 2005-2014 last update: 7 Feb 2014

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