A reason for local economy — the silver lining of the Coronavirus

Can you see the connection between Coronavirus and climate pollution, because there is one?

I’m an advocate for supporting first the local economy and then the regional economy. I have never understood why people would go so far away to get something done when locally or regionally you have incredible know-how, skills and knowledge, and with that brings flexibility to create even better, a reduction in pollution and waste, and better working relations.

I always think it is better to be the best locally and then regionally. But there is this constant desire to be global. It doesn’t make sense. I wonder if this desire is also linked and influenced to the venture capital and start-up world where there is a belief that a successful business is only one that is all over the world. That you won’t get financial backing unless it can be scaled globally.

Money influences pretty much everything. Most people who start and run businesses are trying to make a profit, understandably because that’s how a business survives. Yet, when you put money as the focal point, this means you don’t pay attention to the elements that are actually connected to the money. Consequently, a proper assessment of the business is not done including the risks. In the end, many businesses take the core of their business far away from home.

When you go far away from home, you increase risk. And risk is in so many things beyond the simple production, but that’s another post.

Coming back to today’s situation with the Coronavirus, I find it very telling as to the risks many businesses have put themselves in, a risk that often people omit in their calculations.

Maybe people will finally understand the benefit of working locally and regionally.
- It reduces risk.
- You have more control over the production.
- You build better relations with those you are working with.
- Everyone is protected by the same laws.
- You create a great product that has a durability that people are proud of.
- You reduce your contribution to climate pollution.

This is not about protectionism. This is about thinking a bit more of what you are doing and why.

And if we are all talking about climate pollution, this is a great place to start making changes.

The reality is that we have to change our entire system and behaviours if we really want to protect and sustain the planet.

And manufacturing locally is not so much more expensive as everyone thinks; you just need to do your research. And it is also not a reason to jack up the prices that so many brands tend to do.

I will write another post going into more detail about the reasons why focusing locally and regionally is better for all.

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