Transition Towns EQ3 Flashcards
What is localism?
Localism supports local production and consumption of goods, local control of government and promotion of local historic local culture and identity
Why had there been a rise in localism?
-Globalisation has led to outsourcing and factory closures, leaving many local workers unemployed. Localism supports small businesses and keeps wealth within communities e.g. The “Buy British” movement encourages consumers to support UK-made goods rather than imported products from low-wage economies
-Supports local food production, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and lowering emissions.
-Encourages durable, sustainable products rather than mass-produced, short-lived items» Challenges the fast fashion industry, which contributes to waste, pollution, and exploitative labour practices e.g. Initiatives like “slow fashion” and second-hand clothing markets promote ethical consumption and reduce textile waste.
How has globalisation caused energy insecurity?
-Global energy use is projected to rise by 50% by 2035, increasing reliance on fracking and high-emission fuels like shale oil
-This depletes finite resources, worsens environmental damage, and heightens energy insecurity by making supply less sustainable
How has globalisation led to climate change?
-Increased consumption and acquisition of manufactured goods (e.g. TVs, fridges, disposable plastic items) has increased the carbon footprint of the Earth’s population. -Global temp rise of 2 degrees seems likely
How has globalisation led to food insecurity?
-Food demand will double by 2050 - increased consumption of meat and dairy which have large ecological footprints
How has globalisation led to water insecurity?
-Food production depletes water supplies (animals and crop production).
-Popular commodities e.g. chocolate, coffee, wine have high water footprint
-As countries develop economically, household water use increases.
What is ecological footprint?
A measure of how many natural resources a country uses compared with what the earth can naturally generate
What is local sourcing?
-An ethical consumption strategy that boycotts supermarket products with high food miles
-local pressure groups pray an important role in promoting local sourcing
What are the benefits of local sourcing?
-local sourcing can help people reduce carbon foot print e.g. the Rio earth summit introduced the slogan “think global, act local”
-many small producers in the uk have adopted organic farming method, using free pesticides which could have health benefits
-uk farmers have moved up the value chain (Instead of selling raw fruits at low prices, they create higher-value products that can be sold at a premium) by manufacturing locally sourced items such as jams and wines
What are the cons of local sourcing?
-local sourcing of everyday meat and vegetables can be expensive especially for people on low incomes
-tomatoes in the uk are grown in heated greenhouses and poly tunnels during winter resulting in a larger carbon footprint than imported Spanish tomatoes
-less demand for food from producer countries means arrested economic development for places like Ivory Coast
What is a transition town?
A settlement where individuals and businesses have adopted “bottom up” initiatives which the aim of making their community more sustainable and less reliant on global trade
What are bottom up initiatives?
-Bottom-up initiatives are community-driven projects where local people take the lead in identifying problems and implementing solutions e.g. community gardens, renewable energy projects,local food market support
What are some environmental benefits of transition towns?
-Transition Towns prioritise local trade over international imports, decreasing emissions from transportation e.g. In Bristol, reducing international trade supports local self-sufficiency and decreases emissions through reduced transport costs.
-Encouraging local food production and independent businesses reduces reliance on industrial-scale farming, which often results in food waste and high carbon outputs e.g.Totnes promotes locally grown food, reducing dependence on large supermarkets that import from abroad.
What are some environmental costs of transition towns?
-Reducing global trade in favour of local production means communities may struggle to access certain products at affordable prices.
-If local businesses do not adopt sustainable practices, emissions may not significantly decrease, especially in energy-intensive industries
What are some social benefits of transition towns?
-Unlike large TNCs, independent traders have fairer competition in Transition Towns, leading to greater diversity in local businesses e.g. In Bristol, consumers are encouraged to support independent businesses rather than large supermarket chains, ensuring local producers remain competitive
-These towns prioritise knowledge-sharing through community-led initiatives, helping people learn sustainable skills like growing food, reducing waste, and self-sufficiency
What are some social costs of transition towns?
-Some systems, such as local currencies, may be difficult for newcomers or outsiders to use, creating barriers for tourists and non-participating businesses e.g. The Bristol Pound creates a stronger consumer-business bond locally but may exclude people from outside the town who do not use it
What are some economic benefits of transition towns?
-Money Stays in the Local Economy: encouraging spending within the community prevents wealth from leaving local areas, keeping businesses sustainable e.g. in Bristol, independent businesses benefit as 80% of money spent locally stays in the community, compared to only 20% when spent in large chains.
-Locally owned businesses, farmers, and sustainability projects help provide employment in sectors like food production and renewable energy.
What are some economic costs of transition towns ?
With fewer large businesses operating, prices for some goods may be higher, which can disadvantage lower-income households.
