Eco Localism

Eco Localism - The reality of a dream 

By Mahmood Ahmed

Eco Localism is perhaps a vision shared by the majority of the free world as it is a concept of what an ideal world would look like. Many would like to imagine this world as perpetuating both economic and ecological growth with big firms applying ecological values and the citizens of nations 'thinking big and acting locally'. Especially considering the current world climate, it is no surprise that the likes of neo anarchists, market liberals and social greens would all like to hasten to such a world. However with all ideals, come their flaws and Gregory Albo in his paper 'The Limits of Eco-Localism: Scale, Strategy, Socialism' is quick to point them out.

Firstly, what is the concept of localism? It is an ideology which promotes political, economical and environmental policies and actions purely at a local level. Albo points out that many different ecological theorems have some aspect of localism within them. For example,  political economists such as Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman who promote the idea of market ecology have a sense of localism within their framework. For instance, those who follow market ecology state that the market is able to sort out ecological problems as it can point out issues such as the amount of natural resources that are being used and the extent of scarcity within the world. However Albo is quick to point out the fact that, that is all that's said. Yes, market ecology can point out the issues but it does not provide any solutions. Furthermore, Albo states that market ecology favors the idea of locally run businesses as they are more likely to use resources efficiently and help the local environment.
Similarly, Albo raises the fact that political parties such as the green party in the U.S also promote the idea of locality. He quotes the one of the speeches given by the political group's leader during a presidential campaign whereby it is stated that in order to make environmental progress, it must be first done at a local level.

So what is the issue here? Surely, every individual doing their own little part would be good for the environment and starting at a local level should be a good thing. Albo shines some light on the issue with five different critiques but the overarching one being that it is an ideology which is just that, an ideology.

 One of many issues which Albo brings up is again the idea of markets. Eco-Localists seem to have this idea that firms and big companies will just cooperate with ecological values which is just being blind to the very nature of the market. Companies operate for the maximization of profit and economic growth. Any rational firm would not implement ecological policies if it is infringing on profit margins. And the only way they would do so, is if such costs can be translated via market prices i.e if you want greener services, you're going to have to pay more. Albo further argues that in order for firms to implement such ecological policies, they would need to be pressurized in doing so. For example, if other firms of similar nature from other locals are implementing ecological values then firms may comply but other than that there is not much hope.

Similarly, Albo also criticizes the practicallity of implementing Eco- Localism. He states that how exactly would ecological movements go about implementing such a national system. How can ecological localities overcome the issues of bureaucrats and a world capitalist system. Albo, argues that it is not possible for ecological localities to exist in some bubble independent of the world system as globalization has caused the inter twinning of nations. Bio environmentalists and social greens simply do not comprehend the crushing force of a capitalist system that is working against them as society now has become so indulged in a pro consumerist lifestyle.

All in all, the aim of Albo in his paper, as I see it, is not to criticize those advocating for a greener world, rather it is to give a reality check. He is stating that people from different movements and groups are all advacating for a greeener world but are not doing so realisticly. They have idealistic views and do not comprehend the nature of the reality they live in. Essentially, what Albo's paper should aim to do is to actually get people thinking about the very logistics of achieving a greener world.



Sources:

 Gregory Albo, The limits of eco localism: scale, structure, social, 2007
http://www.socialistproject.ca/theory/albo_ecolocalism.pdf

Gif: http://thewireless.co.nz/themes/change/past-present-what-the-future