montage by alyssa“In a viable neighborhood, neighbors ask themselves what they can do or provide for one another, and they find answers that they and their place can afford. This, and nothing else, is the practice of neighborhood.” -Wendell Berry, “The Idea of a Local Economy,” Orion magazine, 2002.
In recent years, Baltimoreans have enjoyed a steady growth of earth-friendly businesses. Among the many pleasures and benefits of buying locally: merchants and restaurateurs become your friends and your money stays in the community. A study in Maine by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance found that local businesses have a much greater positive impact on their economy than the big box chains. For every $100 spent in a big box store, only $14 stays in the local economy. By contrast, $100 spent in a local business results in $45 staying locally.
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Strategic Sustainability Consulting works with organizations, like microenterprises and social entrepreneurs for example, to help them actively manage their social and environmental impact. They offer sustainable solutions usually reserved for large, multinational companies to under-resourced organizations in particular. Their services include supply chain management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability planning, reporting and disclosure. They also help organizations identify their carbon footprint and work towards going “carbon neutral.” They also utilize a blog highlighting various news, events, and people.
courtesy of: Eco-CoachEco-Coach is a sustainability consulting company that provides “individuals and businesses with tools and services to become more environmentally friendly and socially responsible.” They commit to promoting transparent business practices, positive environmental impacts, and quality solutions for their clients.
arranged by: GordonThe CSBA is an alliance that “educates the public on the importance of supporting the local economy, and encourages businesses and consumers to be environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.” Through local business ownership, economic justice, cultural diversity, and a healthy natural development, they build long-term economic empowerment and prosperity in communities. The public is educated to reduce material and energy costs, recycle and reuse waste, and buy and sell locally.
CSBA’s current initiatives include: recruiting and engaging members, expanding the successful Buy Local Baltimore campaign (http://www.buylocalbaltimore.com.com), working on the Buy Fresh-Buy Local campaign, and supporting other initiatives including Biodiesel Cooperative (http://baltimorebiodiesel.org), Recycle Bank, and the Green Walking Tour and identifying high-priority member needs to guide future programs.
Howard County Tomorrow’s mission is to engage the citizens of Howard County “in the work of building an ecologically restorative, socially just, and reliably prosperous sustainable community that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” While focusing on topics such as local economy, green business, ecological land use, and affordable housing, Howard County Tomorrow seeks to educate its local community to further the cause of a sustainable community.
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