Last night, this quote popped up on my Facebook feed and got me thinking – first of all, is it valid? There was a vivid discussion in the comments about whether lone action can actually make a difference if the system in which those actions are embedded remains the same. Currently, I am doing research on so-called “transition movements” that try to transition society as a whole into a more sustainable lifestyle, simultaneously shifting technology, policies, but also mindsets – and the mindsets are the hardest part! Once people make different value judgments (e.g., on whether they prefer to spend money on experiences rather than goods, or what percentage of their income they are willing to spend on good food), the technology will follow along to enable them to do so. But how many people have to change their individual attitude for societal change to occur? As one of the commentators remarked,
A lone action by millions is a powerful voice.
What do you think, where should the shift to more sustainable food systems occur first? In individual mindsets or in overarching policies and systematic changes?
What do you think is the best way for an individual to use more sustainable ways to obtain food? I live in an apartment, so I don’t have a field or garden to grow my own food. Do you think a good alternative is buying from farmer’s markets and buying from stores that sell organic food? That’s what I’ve been doing lately. Would you say that this method is sustainable?
I think farmers’ markets are a great opportunity to support your local food system and a good way to make sure more of your food dollar goes to the direct producers. If it exists in your area, you could also consider joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) initiative where you pay upfront to receive a box of fruit and vegetable every month, sharing the risk with the farmer and circumventing normal distribution channels (which can make it even cheaper). And once you are in the grocery store, trying to buy local and/or organic is what I try to do as well – although I am not sure how local I can get in Sweden in the winter… 😉 Overall, I think your lifestyle sounds very sustainable! 😉
Thanks so much for your response!! 🙂
I believe change happens on an individual level, and becomes a tsunami of change the more individuals also change. One of the the big ways to change the current consumer paradigm is to buy as little as possible, only those items you need, and if possible second hand.
Be the change you want to see … but sometimes, policies can force us to be those changes. Little movements from all direction are the thing that will eventually cause a shift. Viva la revolucion 🙂