Local currencies for community resiliency and action by branalli

There is another effort to use local currency in the western part of the U.S. state of Massachusetts: http://www.berkshares.org/ It might be helpful to cite this example, or even to invite someone from that effort to join as a contributor to your proposal.

Thanks for reaching out to me, Branalli. I would like to add a bit more information about the Principled Societies Project and its potential to generate funds for climate change action. First, I would like to invite everyone to read 'Weathering Climate Change: The Role of Local Currencies,' which I wrote for the Stanford Social Innovation Review. The address is http://www.ssireview.org/blog/entry/weathering_climate_change_the_role_of_local_currencies. A full list of my articles can be found at http://www.principledsocietiesproject.org/articles-by-john-boik/. Lastly, I am in the process of making substantial revisions to my book, which will come out under a new title in July/August. The new version (likely titled 'Economic Direct Democracy') provides a more detailed explanation of how a local currency system could generate funds for climate change action and other pressing issues. As a teaser, I note here that the impacts of the proposed system might be measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars for a large city. The proposal could provide the financial tool that cities need to lead the way forward in addressing climate change and other socio-economic and environmental problems. As with the current version, a free PDF copy of the book will be posted to the PSP website.

Added a related proposal from the previous contest. Hope it helps. James

Hi - I like this idea. We have been running a community currency system here in Durham for the last ten years, has stayed small but active, despite no funding or paid staff. Have been thinking about ways to use the social network created by the system to promulgate 'green' ideas... One thing we have done is invite speakers in to talk to members at the end of our regular monthly trading and social meetings, topics have included permaculture, composting, car share. We also pass on stuff to each other, which might otherwise have gone to landfill, eg. outgrown clothes, unwanted furniture. We also grow plants and seedlings and swop them with each other. Perhaps could be seen as a way to encourage development of a subculture with its own set of (low-carbon) norms?

Julia, thanks for the comment. Best of luck with your activities in Durham.