Why I Localize
As you may know, blogging on ecolocalizer.com is relatively new for me. Its been fun, but hey I think it could be better with a little more back and forth. So I thought I’d introduce myself one post at a time as I talk about localization here in the Bay Area. And I invite you to ask questions, make comments, and tell me what you think needs to be covered. If you’ve got a localization project in the Bay Area and you want folks to know, post a comment or send me an email at daveroom (at) gmail dot com. I aim to please.
Without further adieu… My name is Dave Room (and that’s my daughter in the photo). I have been working on localization for the past four years. Sometimes it has felt like I am swimming upstream. Actually it still feels like that - the difference is that now the current is not quite as strong. As the financial underpinnings of our society unravel, as food prices soar, as oil prices regularly hit new highs - it seems like I am living a prophecy. Everything that is happening now has been more or less accurately predicted by a large International community of people who have been following our oil predicament. Another name for our oil predicament is peak oil, but its really all about the oil depletion and the coming imbalance between supply and demand. Sometimes I call these folks “the depletionista”.
Were it not for peak oil, I probably would not be an eco-localizer (but that’ll be another post). Undoubtedly, I’d be chasing dollars, trying to earn my way to a huge house in the Oakland Hills, and probably have my family intact. Had I stayed my previous course, I would have likely jumped into another start up tech firm and rode it to what would have likely been temporary monetary glory.
But how could I do that knowing what I knew and having the opportunity that I had. I chose to forgo sailing the Greek Isles (at least for now), seasonal sun chasing across the hemispheres, and the high energy life style that I previously enjoyed. Instead I toil working nonprofit wages, writing blogs that don’t get enough traffic to adequately compensate me for my time, and starting projects that just need to happen.
How could I do anything else? I have a five year daughter - she is my heart, my inspiration. And I know that one day, perhaps a decade from now or more, she is going to ask me “Papa, why is everything the way it is?” I have to be able to look into her beautiful brown eyes, and say that I did everything I could and that I still am doing everything I can. I have to know inside that it would have been worse without my efforts. I owe that to her and her contemporaries.
Almost four years ago, I was speaking at the Whole Earth Festival at UC Davis. I was the warm up act for Julia Butterfly Hill but no one was there yet because the stage was off to the side. Actually there were a few people, most of them appeared to be taking a rest from the beating sun. Fewer than 15 people were either lounging on haystacks or sitting on hay spread over ground. Nevertheless, I was juiced; my first public speech - on Mothers Day, feeling especially honored to have my then wife and my 18 month old tree hugger in the audience. Melia’s birth had been the tipping point for me to get active in working for a more sustainable future. That day, I started with a proverb which is attributed to a number of indigenous peoples that resonates strongly within me:
We don’t inherit the planet from our parents; we borrow it from our children
~ Common Indigenous Proverb
I told my heat exhausted, half indifferent audience that my goal was to pay this debt fully to Melia and her contemporaries. I noted that my ability to do so was, however, hampered by what I did inherit from my predecessors – the malignant, inequitable, deceptive unidimensional system that is spreading like a virus across the globe, ravaging Mother Earth and communities wherever it gains a toehold. Yeah, I was pretty hardcore with it. Anyway, I followed with the three points I hoped my audience would take away from the talk.
- Although it may not be apparent, biosphere destruction is a life threatening problem
- The situation is urgent because of the coming energy crisis
- There is hope but we are going to have to begin working on solutions now – collectively and locally
Four years later, I still believe this.
Dave:
Interesting and important post. You and I share some experiences. In 1993, I resigned from a good job with excellent stability and earning potential in order to form a company whose product is a potential tool in the battle against fossil fuel addiction. I did not choose the non-profit way - my belief was and remains that the best way for a sustainable idea to flourish is for it to be something that provides enough of a service for people to pay for it.
Unfortunately, the company has yet to make any money, so I have some affinity and understanding for the challenges of the non-profit world.
At the time of my career change, I had two daughters, both in elementary school and a wife that cried when she found out that I was leaving my job.
Lots of time has passed - the girls are now adults with college degrees and good jobs. Fortunately my wife and I managed to stay together through some challenging times and are now enjoying working together with common purposes.
Reading your post carefully, it sounds like the challenges of poverty might have overcome your marriage. Understandable, though regrettable.
My advice - keep your passion and your drive, but remember that you cannot neglect the now in order to reach the future.
Rod Adams
Founder, Adams Atomic Engines, Inc.
Editor, Atomic Insights
Host and producer, The Atomic Show Podcast
(and a day job too.)
Dave– Thanks for introducing yourself… I hired you, and had no idea how involved you were! I’m really glad you’re a member of the team…
Hey Dave, it is an honor to be your friend! I think we should join forces and put on our own Power to the Peaceful concert to raise awareness. Join me for double Bikram classes soon, like, tonight
Blessings, Lis
Hi Dave You are not alone, Ive been pushing the string up hill for a couple of years to and its not easy being sane in an insane world. I have to say that since oil reached 100$ a barrel not so many people now react to my words as if they have just stepped in dog mess. Things are beginning to turn but it is very late and the cliff is very high. I live in rural Ireland with a low population density and an unarmed society (thank god. Both our countries are facing a very difficult future and I would like to thank you on behalf of all the children you will have a chance of life because of your efforts but you will never know your name. You are “Spartacus” Your daughter is very beautiful, you should be very proud of her and yoursely.
Thanks for chiming in Lis! Your post made me smile. I am definitely up for thinking about a concert through which we can promote the concept of localization - let’s talk. I am definitely open to ideas.
Incidentally, some folks and I starting to talk about creating a localization radio show that does events (the stealth name is Local Eyes - say it out loud to get the effect) that could potentially co-sponsor and co-organize such an event.
RE Join me for double Bikram classes soon, like, tonight
Shucks, I didn’t get the invitation early enough
Folks, she is talking about taking back-to-back hot yoga classes at our local Bikram yoga spot, Funky Door. Lisa did eight in a row one day last year. The thought of that gives me the quivers. But I am gonna do two in a row sometime soon…
Jeff, I am very pleased to be part of the team!
Yep, I am about as involved as one can get in the nascent Bay Area localization movement as I will explain in future posts.
I am imagining that most of my posts will involve one of my projects or those of colleagues.
That works… and I’m looking forward to them!
[…] of automobiles. The presence of the crash test dummy brought me back to my first public speech (see my previous post on Why I localize) where I read the following stanza of poem called The Peak is Nigh: are we but crash test dummies […]