infact 'local' may be one of the most global ideas applied universally wherever one may be, whereas Prince George, Neklazli, Terrace, ... describe actual places.
But beyond geography, social meaning fills the idea of 'local' with meaning.
"We're eating one of Joe's lambs tonight."
"Laura planted these carrots in june..."
"My mom made these placemats for us last christmas..."
Meaning. Marx refers to this as historical materialism I believe.
Why is social locality significant? well I like to believe that when we know a person, or when we are known by others, we behave differently than in an anonymous system. When I am held socially accountable in a way that affects my decisions to include others, land, water, time, myself, ... in respectful ways, we all benefit.
In stark contrast to wal mart, an employer of 1 600 000 employees (in America) that sells 92% Made in China, there is little relationship between the stuff of our lives and the people involved in the production.
When we meet our needs in ways that are governed by the intuitive senses of our bodies we are more likely to make decisions that honour ourselves and others, including animals, minerals, water, ecosystems, and the land.
This does not mean that we do not take. As humans we are indebted to the unfathomable life that nurtures us. We need plants, plants don't necessarily need us. As we become involved intimately with the stuff of our lives the better positioned we are to live into meaningfilled human relations, in the largest sense.
slow down.
enjoy.
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