When zooming between shopping malls this December, don’t forget that all of your financial transactions boost the economy. It might be a nice time to remember that holidays are for rejoicing in the warmth of our families and communities. Conducting business within your local economy does wonders for those around you. The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies has reported that two-thirds of the money you spend locally stays local, compared to less than half of each dollar spent at a chain store. This is praiseworthy for all sorts of reasons. Supporting the place where you live is the best way to ensure community resilience.

Many small business associations, such as the Monterey Bay Green Business Program, offer resources for energy efficiency in the workplace. The shared knowledge about energy efficient practices helps everyone in the community to conserve where they can and increase the quality of their services with improved lighting and other changes. Savvy customers might also prefer to endorse businesses that share their environmental concerns. At last notice, George Mason researchers reported that 72% of Americans believe global warming should be a government priority, and 92% of Americans think developing clean energy sources should be a priority for our federal government.

If you own a business, stay with the tide, and be sure your operation is doing all it can to reduce energy usage. And as a shopper, don’t forget that every transaction is a vote for the type of economy you want, so support your community and shop green and local.

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Earth Matters: Have a happy and green holiday season

We have all heard the reports of Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday shopping rushes and the stories of long lines, big sales and their importance to the national economy. Less is reported, however, on the great values, unique shopping opportunities and community cheer that comes with visiting independently owned stores within our local shopping districts.

The Santa Cruz Think Local First website touts the important contributions locally owned businesses provide to our community. For instance, when you shop locally, “more money gets re-circulated in the community, general prosperity as well as tax revenues increase, creating a more vibrant and sustainable economy”. The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies reports that two-thirds of your dollar remains in the local economy when shopping at a locally owned business, while less than half your holiday dollar remains local when shopping at chain stores.

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