The Importance of Shopping Small

I am an anti- globalist and always have been. For me this is something that will always be interwoven with my feelings on politics and environmentalism. For me environmentalism should be about first and foremost protecting local or indigenous communities and supporting local businesses and protecting our countryside.

Shopping small and shopping local protects many of these things. It is extremely important to keep labor local as well as using environmentally friendly materials. This is not only because it diversify the economy but it allows people to live rich full lives in smaller towns and villages. Local artisans, small shops and cafes are a lifeline in smaller communities. This is especially true for older or disabled people who find it hard to travel long distances. These are the places they can have access to goods and find human connection. it keeps communities vibrant and interesting while providing meaningful work for local people. 

Shopping small reinvigorates towns and helps combat recessions and economic crisis. It keeps the money in the local economy and provides local jobs that otherwise younger people would have to travel elsewhere to find.

Shopping small also creates more opportunities for local entrepreneurs who want to share a craft or promote a service.

This feeds into environmentalism by stopping the reliance on large polluting organizations or having goods shipped half way around the world. During these uncertain times when communities are being decimated by bad policy decisions, shopping small is more important than ever.