Post by Administrator on Apr 16, 2013 19:31:45 GMT -4
Local Food, Local Energy, Local Control
To the greatest extent possible New Brunswick must be self-reliant by building an economy that meets local needs, is locally controlled, and minimizes its dependence on external forces. This is the way we can build resilient and sustainable communities.
We need to build a local food system that connects New Brunswick farmers with New Brunswick markets. Food that is locally produced without the use of toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers must become a priority. To achieve this New Brunswick’s network of food production, processing and distribution enterprises needs to be strengthened. Farmers must be fairly paid for the food they produce.
Energy that is clean, renewable, locally produced, and efficiently used is the cornerstone of a self-reliant society. New Brunswick is blessed with a huge potential for energy efficiency improvements and abundant renewable energy resources which could make us largely self-sufficient in energy.
Renewable heat sources such as wood pellets, geothermal energy, and solar energy should largely replace electricity for heating our homes and buildings – electricity that now depends on expensive imported fossil fuels. Every home, office, mall, business and educational institution could become a power plant, generating electricity for the grid from solar panels on their roofs and wood- pellet heating systems. Electricity can be generated and fed into a smart grid powered by wind farms, bioenergy plants, solar farms, hydro dams, and natural gas co-generators owned by farmers, woodlot owners, First Nations and municipalities.
Land trusts owned by local communities can provide housing that is affordable, sustainable, and embedded in the community.
Ownership of provincial and municipal infrastructure must remain in public hands and under public control.
Economic development spending must be targeted at sustaining our communities, strengthening local economies. Cooperative businesses, institutions and organizations should play an important role in invigorating our local economies
To the greatest extent possible New Brunswick must be self-reliant by building an economy that meets local needs, is locally controlled, and minimizes its dependence on external forces. This is the way we can build resilient and sustainable communities.
We need to build a local food system that connects New Brunswick farmers with New Brunswick markets. Food that is locally produced without the use of toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers must become a priority. To achieve this New Brunswick’s network of food production, processing and distribution enterprises needs to be strengthened. Farmers must be fairly paid for the food they produce.
Energy that is clean, renewable, locally produced, and efficiently used is the cornerstone of a self-reliant society. New Brunswick is blessed with a huge potential for energy efficiency improvements and abundant renewable energy resources which could make us largely self-sufficient in energy.
Renewable heat sources such as wood pellets, geothermal energy, and solar energy should largely replace electricity for heating our homes and buildings – electricity that now depends on expensive imported fossil fuels. Every home, office, mall, business and educational institution could become a power plant, generating electricity for the grid from solar panels on their roofs and wood- pellet heating systems. Electricity can be generated and fed into a smart grid powered by wind farms, bioenergy plants, solar farms, hydro dams, and natural gas co-generators owned by farmers, woodlot owners, First Nations and municipalities.
Land trusts owned by local communities can provide housing that is affordable, sustainable, and embedded in the community.
Ownership of provincial and municipal infrastructure must remain in public hands and under public control.
Economic development spending must be targeted at sustaining our communities, strengthening local economies. Cooperative businesses, institutions and organizations should play an important role in invigorating our local economies