What is the benefit of a local economy if we use all sustainable energy?

Question

I think the benefit of a local economy now is the use of less fossil fuels. If we change over completely to sustainable fuels, would the world or its local communities benefit from local economies, more than if we continue our large scale international trade? Detailed answers appreciated.

Answer 1

If we switch from oil-based energy reliance to a local resource like biomass it would bring $ to the US that would have gone to the middle east or elsewhere, boosting the US economy. HOWEVER, the real opportunity is not just sustainable energy but a sustainable society - one where we reduce consumption dramatically and insist on renewable natural resources. One where we embrace abundant living (wind and sun, gardens, music, friends) and minimize economic living (oil, steel, walmart, plastic). If that happens, we won't even think to ask about "economic impact" as a primary concern. But don't bet your Prius on it!

Answer 2

There are a few benefits to using sustainable energy:

1. Less Reliance on fossil fuels. The "duh!" answer. If you have your own source of energy, you don't need to rely on others to provide it for you.

2. Providing for the local economy. Sustainable sources of energy can also provide enough for nearby communities, creating money out of nothingness for a local town.

Plus, the new energy forms drive job growth as new people are needed to install and maintain the machines.

Theoretically, this would also mean added service jobs for all these new people. I once read that for every person added to a community, five people are needed to service them (food, drinks, hair, doctor, auto, etc.).

3. Local sustainable energy sources would allow us to turn the focus of the local economy from energy into innovation, leading to newer products, trade, and higher level economic interaction with other communities.

This in turn feeds the larger scale international trade.

4. If we spend less money on energy, we have more to spend on other things!

5. In the long run, the less reliance we have on fossil fuels the longer our communities are going to exist. Think about it - if fossil fuel use were limited only to critical areas, we could extend the use of it for a LONG time. I read once that if American usage of oil dropped five percent, we could save 50 years worth of oil.

I really think that if communities change over, the benefits more than outweigh the risks of staying at the status quo.

Answer 3

We have to consider the added cost of shipping to our overhead. If you can add in the carbon loading of the atmosphere to the final cost the profits may fall.

As it is the reason it is cheaper to shop at Wall Mart, for example, is that so much of their product being sold is from China and the total cost, not including carbon, is lower including the shipping. It is a flat world economy right now and if product is cheaper to purchase from China or Africa then that is the product that will offer the greatest profits.

Pollution may have a back door affect on China and India though. The rivers are so polluted in those two countries that people can not drink, fish or bath in water from the rivers much less irrigate. If they can not control the pollution in their homes the cost of medical will overwhelm any short term profits made through industrialization and the cost of doing business with them will increase.

At the end of the day if it is less expensive to buy from China, India or Africa and the cost of getting it to this country is less even with the cost of shipping half of the way around the world then that is where we will manufacture goods globally.

Answer 4

the benefit is local jobs creating local income which is spent on locally produced products and food, lowering the amount of oil and other fuels needed to transport goods which then increase the costs and tax the environment. Can't you just hear the theme song from lion king, it's the bloody circle of life mate!

Answer 5

The benefit of a local economy is that it creates local jobs to people so that they can afford to buy the cheaply produced products from countries like china.

Answer 6

What u ask is impossible and makes u sound stupid . In the first place fossil fuels are renewable and is recycled by the plants and photosynthesis.

Answer 7

Read some of the stuff on this site it will open your eyes.
http://www.ozenergy.net