Towards a relocalized Pioneer Valley

Over the past few months, we have had many inspiring conversations with people who are working with a sense of great urgency to address the converging crises before us. Despite the diversity of our specific focus areas, there appears to be a common viewpoint that we share. This statement is an attempt to put a broad statement down on paper. As we go forward, we welcome a discussion of this statement within our relocalization network.

Where we stand

1. Humankind is facing a set of converging crises that have been building for decades. Among these crises are economic globalization, militarization, financial manipulation, inequalities between nations and people, and environmental degradation. So far, the response of our society and its institutions have been grossly inadequate. Today, delay is no longer an option - the need to act is urgent.
2. The social and economic institutions of the world are about to undergo fundamental changes in response to global warming and peak oil. Change is not a choice - change will happen. This poses risks, but it is also offers us an opportunity to build a new and better world.
3. The path the world has been following is leading to resource wars, loss of democracy, unhealthy societies, instabilities, and the destruction of the Earth’s ecosystem. We reject this path.
4. We have an opportunity to take the path of sustainability, economic security, and justice. We hereby make a clear and principled commitment to this path.
5. Our first commitment is personal. In our lives and in our thoughts we will move beyond business-as-usual and embrace the future. We will act with the understanding that the lives of our children depend upon our actions today. We will learn. We will deliberate. We will join together. And we will act upon our principles.
6. Our second commitment is to build the basis for the future in our local communities. Transforming the economy and the infrastructure at the local level is a physical necessity if global transformations are to be achieved. And in terms of political and moral leadership, local leaders must move forward as pathfinders, setting a new standard which state and national leadership must follow.
7. Our third commitment is to work with others to bring about transformational changes at the state, national, or international levels. We reject the false leadership and misguided policies that have brought us to this point of catastrophe. We reject attempts to offer false solutions and to exploit the crises for profit. We reject anti-democratic and manipulative powers. We will work in coalition with others who respect the democratic process and are truly committed to building sustainable, just and democratic communities.