We live in a culture that stresses achievement and promotes the mythology of the rugged individual. And as a result, we feel increasingly isolated, viewing life as a series of transactions rather than relationships. We’ve forgotten that our actions have consequences on other people—and the planet. What if we made an effort to develop community with our neighbors and take care of each other? What if we created place-based economies to serve the needs of our own communities? Economies that work without exploiting other people or the environment? Eric Kornacki is the President and CEO of THRIVE Partners, an organization created to provide communities with the tools to establish healthy, resilient, inclusive and vibrant economies. He is also the former Executive Director of Re:Vision, a venture that transformed one of Denver’s most marginalized neighborhoods by cultivating community food systems and developing a place-based economy. Today, Eric joins Christophe and Alexsandra to explain how a community college English class sparked his interest in the relationship between economic development and environmental degradation. He discusses his decision to invest in his own community first, rather than pursuing work in developing countries.
Eric describes Re:Vision’s work around food insecurity in southwest Denver, sharing how the community has changed through the development of a place-based economy. He also walks us through the neighborhood’s decision to create a food cooperative that keeps more than $11M in the community every year. Listen in for Eric’s insight into the connection between consciousness and climate change—and learn how THRIVE is working to create a movement that inspires other communities to implement a village economy.
Key Takeaways
[0:26] What sparked Eric’s interest in climate change
Drew economic development + environmental degradation as topics for paper
Inspired to create economy that works for people but doesn’t destroy planet
[3:42] Eric’s path to Reversing Climate Change
Degree in economics and international development
Solve problems on ground in developing countries
Discovered Schumacher’s idea of village economics
[8:13] Why Eric chose to work in Denver vs. overseas
Unethical to implement solutions without facing consequences
Decision to invest in own community first
[10:52] Re:Vision’s work in southwest Denver
Build relationships by addressing food insecurity
Develop largest community food system in country (2,000 gardens)
Create jobs in community with leadership opportunities
[15:38] How the community has changed through Re:Vision
Transformation from fear and isolation to trust and connection
Hope and possibility result of activating underused human capital
[19:39] The downside of our cultural focus on achievement
See life as series of transactions rather than relationships
Forget actions have consequences on other people + planet
Must develop higher consciousness to solve climate change
[23:48] The framework of a place-based economy
No export until needs met locally
Put other’s needs before own
[25:29] How Eric found the early adopters to start Re:Vision
Conversations where community already gathering (i.e.: parent groups)
Move to community to demonstrate ownership
[28:35] The role of the promotoras within Re:Vision
Community health workers (Central American strategy)
Lived experience viewed as important, give knowledge tools needed
[29:45] How a place-based economy keeps money in the community
Neighborhood losing $16M/year shopping for groceries elsewhere
Create cooperative owned by community rather than chain grocery store
[32:45] How the Re:Vision coop deals with seasonality
Sell vegetables in spring, summer and fall
Indoor hydroponic farm and work with other vendors in winter
[34:21] How the coop concept has expanded beyond food
Nanny and community language coops have emerged
Local businesses serve needs of own community
[36:19] The idea behind Eric’s new venture, THRIVE
Create movement to help other communities develop place-based economies
[37:06] How Eric’s work connects to climate change
Re-localize economies, plant idea of relationships + connectedness
Model of resilience + self-sufficiency should global food system break down
[41:56] Eric’s challenge for Reversing Climate Change listeners
Put down phone, get plugged in where live
#localeconomics #placebasedeconomics #localism
Comments
Post a Comment