PLANET LOCAL: A Quiet Revolution
film discussion guide
PLANET LOCAL is about a quiet and transformative revolution emerging
worldwide. As people work to protect and restore their local economies,
their communities and the natural world, countless diverse initiatives aredemonstrating a new path forward for humanity. It’s a path that localizes
rather than globalizes, connects rather than separates, and shows us thathuman beings need not be the problem – we can be the solution.

first thoughts
The film shows how seemingly disparate issues – from climate breakdown
to loss of jobs to mental health epidemics – are actually connected.
Do you find this to be an overwhelming message, or an empowering one?
What did you agree with in the film? What didn't you agree with? What surprised you?

human natureThis competitiveness – thatyou have to prove yourself
and push down the others – it’s
been a deformation of thehuman spirit, I do believe.”

This system has become so vast, soglobal, that it’s almost impossible
to see its contours. And no one has been
stepping back to look at the big picture.
Instead, economic pressures have been
demanding ever more specialization –an ever more narrow perspective.”– Joanna Macy

– Helena Norberg-Hodge

Reflect on the notion of “human nature” – who are we at a deep level?
The film argues that human nature is not the root cause of the problems
we face. Do you agree?
How does the economic system stimulate greed?

going local
If we always consume what
others produce, we’ll always
be poor always slaves.
– Salim Dara

From the time of colonization, there wasa historical restructuring of domestic foodand agriculture towards sources of cheap
raw materials for the industrial needs ofthe colonizers.
– Sarojeni Rengam

Localization means shifting away from dependence on big corporations,
towards strengthening relationships of interdependence at the local level.
How do you think such a shift changes the power dynamics of society?

You create together. You meet
physical needs for each other. You
are embedded, and you could say‘of’ a place, not just a separate self.

People want to experience theirresponsibility. And that meansthat you carry yourself with prideand dignity. Because you matter.

– Charles Eisenstein– Joanna Macy

The film argues that the breakdown of community is a key cause of ourworsening social and psychological problems. What are some ways wecan bring intergenerational community back into our own lives? Whatmight be the benefits of doing so?

There’s millions of movements around the world whoare saying ‘we claim the power where we are; we’re
not going to give it to politicians or corporations’.
– Ashish Kothari
Although they are rarely covered by the mainstream media,
many grassroots alternatives are emerging. Can you identifyany of these localization initiatives in your community or region?

We have a madness in this world where food that is grownaround our cities is largely exported to other areas. Wouldn’t
it be so much better if the local farmers had the opportunity
to work with the local communities to bring their food into
the city as was traditionally done?
– George Ferguson
What are some of the benefits of local food systems? Think of benefits
to the soil, to community, to human health, and to the local economy.

structural change
Beyond these community eﬀorts,
localization must advocate for structuralchanges in the social production relations
between farmers, traders and landlords.

We need policy reforms that support
localization and agroecology … weneed to support and strengthen sucha strong people’s movement.

– Arnold Padilla– Sarojeni Rengam

To build [local food] economies,
we must recapture our rightsfrom global corporations.
– Naomi Klein[Free trade] treaties now even allow corporations
to sue governments for any social or environmental protections that might threaten theirproﬁts. This makes a mockery of democracy.
– Narrator

Let’s create a fair playing ﬁeld. Let’s stop giving subsidies to bigbusiness. Let’s get the tax code fair so that local economies havea fair chance to thrive … If we recognize the various beneﬁts that
local businesses bring, I think we’ll get very diﬀerent outcomes.
– Stacy Mitchell
The film argues that structural change to the economy is needed
to spread the impact of the important work of grassroots groups.
Do you agree? Do you believe changes at this level are possible?
In the film, investigative journalist Mika Tsutsumi warns that wemust be careful with new technology. What kinds of technologies
can we imagine serving a genuine social/ecological purpose in thefuture? What technologies might have to be challenged?

a new economy
Economist Michael Shuman cites US and Canadian studies
showing that small businesses generate more income, create
more jobs, and are more profitable than big corporations. Yet
most governments continue to believe that deregulating andsupporting big business is the path to prosperity.
Could reframing the meaning of ‘economic growth’ help bridge political divides,
and bring together people concerned about the environment with thoseconcerned about jobs and ﬁnancial security?

what can we do?
What local initiatives have you personally been involved with? Are there projects
that you’d like to start? If so, what are the opportunities and what are the barriers?
What policy shifts at the local, national and international
level would make those eﬀorts more likely to succeed?
The ﬁlm ends with Satish Kumar pointing out how true change mustcome from the grassroots, citing Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi
as leaders of movements that changed politics from the outside. How canwe help to create those kinds of people’s movements in today’s world?

LOCAL FUTURES’ STEPS TO CHANGE:
1. RECONNECT
Although there are things we can do as individuals, themost important actions are those taken together withothers. Change the 'I' to a 'we' by connecting with a groupof like-minded others in your community. Ask yourselves
the question: what can we do to support our own wellbeing
while also contributing to social and planetary healing?

2. RETHINK'Unlearning' the assumptions that have been drilled into us all is essential.
In a small group of like-minded others, watch and discuss films, and readbooks and articles that challenge conventional assumptions aroundprosperity, progress, sustainability and more.

3. RESIST
Connect with wider movements for social and economic change.
In particular, join movements that speak out against free trade,
corporate rule and globalization.

4. RENEW
Rebuild the fabric of community and the local economy in your place.
There are so many ways to go about this, each with its own joys andchallenges. To find a wide range of renewal actions, check out the
Localization Action Guide https://actionguide.localfutures.org

5. REJOICE
Celebrate your achievements, and spread the joy!

Watch and share the PLANET LOCAL film online:
https://www.localfutures.org/films/planet-local-a-quiet-revolution/

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