WHAT IS GLOBAL IS DETERMINED BY WHAT IS LOCAL

The health of the ocean depends on the health of the rivers.  The health of the rivers depends on the health of small streams.  The health of small streams depends on the health of the watersheds.  The health of the watersheds depends on the health of the land.  The health of the land depends on the health of the plants and animals in that place, which in turn depend on the soil for good health. 

          Humans become greatly exercised concerning large problems like the environment, ocean pollution, global warming, global economy, national debt, and other issues that have large and massive effects.  In fact, we seldom even recognize these issues until they reach the level of impending doom.  Then governments step in and want to study and solve the issue through massive, comprehensive actions.

          We never seem to understand that global issues are local issues that have not been addressed locally.  Massive global issues are almost always accumulated problems from small local situations.  The mismanaged farm pollutes the stream, which pollutes the river and so forth.  The city governed by corrupt local leaders pollutes the lives of citizens, government, and environments through unwise choices and policies.

          When cities adopt policies that create suburban spread, it destroys farms.  Food production takes place farther and farther from the city requiring shipping and storage problems.  Shipping and storing foods cause pollution, expense and endangers the food supply.  These kinds of domino effects cannot be corrected by federal government policies. 

          There are those today who say that nation states are dead.  We now live in a global village.  Children must learn more about the world.  Nations must make decisions that benefit the world instead of themselves.  National governments must take over and dictate to the states, and states must restrict counties and counties must regulate communities.  The United Nations claims a global body is necessary to solve the huge problems facing the world.

          Global issues are unaddressed local issues.  Decentralization will solve those problems because the local leaders can make sure the watershed is kept clean, and if they don’t local citizenry can replace them. 

          The health of the ocean depends on the health of the rivers.  The health of the rivers depends on the health of small streams.  The health of small streams depends on the health of the watersheds.  The health of the watersheds depends on the health of the land.   

          Think globally, but act locally.