Place-based activities that explore topics of global concern
What are "GLOBAL" issues? Global Issues are those that have a number of common features:
Addressing big questions of a global nature may not result in community change in the short term, but participating in activities related to such topics encourages global perspectives and related community actions. "Think globally, act locally" urges people to consider the health of the entire planet and to take action in their own communities and cities. Long before governments began enforcing environmental laws, individuals were coming together to protect habitats and the organisms that live within them. These efforts are referred to as grassroots efforts. They occur on a local level and are primarily run by volunteers and helpers.
"Think Globally, Act Locally" originally began at the grassroots level, however, it is now a global concept with high importance. It is not just volunteers who take the environment into consideration. It is corporations, government officials, education system, and local communities.
Guidelines for this type of action but here is an example of is what "Think Globally, Act Locally" means to Juniper Russo. http://voices.yahoo.com/what-does-think-globally-act-locally-mean-8908513.html
1. "Think Globally, Act Locally" means personal change. I have always felt baffled when I've seen self-proclaimed environmentalists failing to make changes in their own lifestyles. They are thinking on a global level-- worrying about endangered animals and global warming-- but drive SUVs and eat meat in every meal. I believe that genuine environmentalists always make changes in their own lifestyles to reflect their global concerns. Personal change is the first and most important step in global improvement.
2. "Think Globally, Act Locally" means international tolerance. How many self-proclaimed activists want to end whaling, starvation, and the destruction of the rainforests-- but don't do anything at home to help local wildlife, end local hunger, or preserve local forests? I personally don't believe that we, as a culture, can criticize the practices of other groups until we have solved our own problems at home. This may mean tolerating some degree of hunting and deforestation in other cultures until we've successfully solved our own problems.
3. "Think Globally, Act Locally" means bioregional culture. The thought-provoking book "Dream of the Earth," by Thomas Berry, explores many of the notions associated with local thought and local activism. He suggests that each region maintain its own culture relative to the land and resources around it. The architecture, music, and cultural norms of the area should reflect the land and from which they come. For example, architects who "think locally" might emphasize the importance of creating buildings made with local resources to withstand local climate pressures.
4. "Think Globally, Act Locally" means supporting local businesses and agriculture. Acting locally largely means making an effort to support your local economy. By buying from local businesses, you help to keep the maximum amount of money in your own community and help to support local business-owners. Local shopping also helps to prevent the abuse of international resources, such as rainforest wood and overseas drilling. Keep your eyes on your community by purchasing local goods and services whenever possible.
The following eight categories of Global Isses are addressed below:
- they persist or are acting over the long term
- they are transnational or transboundry
- they affect large numbers of people and other populations
- they are the underlying cause of other events
- they are connected to other global issues
Addressing big questions of a global nature may not result in community change in the short term, but participating in activities related to such topics encourages global perspectives and related community actions. "Think globally, act locally" urges people to consider the health of the entire planet and to take action in their own communities and cities. Long before governments began enforcing environmental laws, individuals were coming together to protect habitats and the organisms that live within them. These efforts are referred to as grassroots efforts. They occur on a local level and are primarily run by volunteers and helpers.
"Think Globally, Act Locally" originally began at the grassroots level, however, it is now a global concept with high importance. It is not just volunteers who take the environment into consideration. It is corporations, government officials, education system, and local communities.
Guidelines for this type of action but here is an example of is what "Think Globally, Act Locally" means to Juniper Russo. http://voices.yahoo.com/what-does-think-globally-act-locally-mean-8908513.html
1. "Think Globally, Act Locally" means personal change. I have always felt baffled when I've seen self-proclaimed environmentalists failing to make changes in their own lifestyles. They are thinking on a global level-- worrying about endangered animals and global warming-- but drive SUVs and eat meat in every meal. I believe that genuine environmentalists always make changes in their own lifestyles to reflect their global concerns. Personal change is the first and most important step in global improvement.
2. "Think Globally, Act Locally" means international tolerance. How many self-proclaimed activists want to end whaling, starvation, and the destruction of the rainforests-- but don't do anything at home to help local wildlife, end local hunger, or preserve local forests? I personally don't believe that we, as a culture, can criticize the practices of other groups until we have solved our own problems at home. This may mean tolerating some degree of hunting and deforestation in other cultures until we've successfully solved our own problems.
3. "Think Globally, Act Locally" means bioregional culture. The thought-provoking book "Dream of the Earth," by Thomas Berry, explores many of the notions associated with local thought and local activism. He suggests that each region maintain its own culture relative to the land and resources around it. The architecture, music, and cultural norms of the area should reflect the land and from which they come. For example, architects who "think locally" might emphasize the importance of creating buildings made with local resources to withstand local climate pressures.
4. "Think Globally, Act Locally" means supporting local businesses and agriculture. Acting locally largely means making an effort to support your local economy. By buying from local businesses, you help to keep the maximum amount of money in your own community and help to support local business-owners. Local shopping also helps to prevent the abuse of international resources, such as rainforest wood and overseas drilling. Keep your eyes on your community by purchasing local goods and services whenever possible.
The following eight categories of Global Isses are addressed below:
Climate change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change provides comprehensive scientific assessments of climate change caused by human activity, Click here for additional information: |
Energy and Our Ecological Footprint
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Economic Globalization
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Feeding the world
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Ocean Health
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Health of Terrestrial Ecosystems
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Cultures / acculturation
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Atmosphere Changes
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