Introducing Woburn Local: Making Our Way

A few weeks ago, I invited you all to a timely discussion under a title that might have been catchy, but did not mention the well-known pain it addressed. I think that title was a poor choice. Here's a second try.

For the heating season to come, fuel purchases commence soon, if they haven't begun already. Before long, prices probably will be nearly double, if not double, last season's prices. Of course, this is in addition to the higher prices we're paying to fuel our vehicles and buy nearly everything.

Because we have no control of fuel prices and availability, almost everyone – households, businesses and public authorities – will have to adjust expectations, practices and budgets. Frugality, efficiency, practicality and innovation will play key roles.

Our liberty means we're free to decide our priorities for spending our money. We resist some temptations because we want something else more. To that we are accustomed. However, there are limits to our pleasure in this process. The farther we get from the way we were, the more challenged and irritated we're likely to become. Some may cry or act out with demands for relief, in hopes of restoring the past. Who'll be in position to answer such demands?

An important, constructive alternative is to elevate our investments of personal time and personal energy in the connections and arrangements easiest to make, maintain and evolve as we see fit – local ones. Generally speaking, local give and take requires less fuel than participation in the global economy. Only time will tell how much local give and take can, or must, provide us.

Only if we begin can time tell anything of the sort. Only if we begin soon will we have maximum time to increase our capacities and improve our chances.

Join this (online) group to participate in making the Woburn area one of the more resilient and sustainable ones.