What is sustainability?
As a definition, I like the one articulated by the 1987 Brundtland Report, “Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
My own definition:
https://rwitty.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/sustainable-societyeconomy-definitions/
In the few cases where I’ve been engaged to conduct “sustainability audits” for small companies, the criteria for their inquiry included input/process/output analysis on water usage, carbon footprint, recycling, solid waste disposal, etc. They also included social metrics like compliance with “living wage” guidelines, non-discrimination compliance, assessments of employee satisfaction, assessments of stakeholder relations.
Although the food businesses cited interest in the local food movement (“100 mile diet”), none incorporated an assessment of LOCUS, or participated in LOCUS disclosures on their products.
LOCUS is a product disclosure that defines the geographic average site of value addition for a product or service, and the degree of variance from that geographic average. LOCUS is stated in latitude and longitude. As a product disclosure, a small map of North America is printed with a green area identifying where a product can be sold to comply with “100-mile” diet (LOCUS within 100 miles, with less than 100 mile variance), and in blue with “500-mile” compliance.
Retailers and manufacturers may also be assessed for their organizational LOCUS compliance/excellence. A bronze level retailer makes 25% of its revenues in the blue zone. A silver level retailer makes 50% of its revenues in the blue zone. And a gold level retailer makes 75% of it revenues from blue zone products/services.
Similar guidelines apply to manufacturers and producers.
Although there is no definitive research conducted, or even possible, a very very small percentage of food purchased at groceries in the country, comply with either metric.
If the site of value addition (LOCUS) is not disclosed, then those that desire to eat locally won’t know if they are in fact. (I have some ultra-orthodox Jewish friends – and family – that are very conscientious about only eating kosher food. They are religious about it.)
If the LOCUS of products and services is disclosed, then there will be a means for consumers to include that consideration in their purchasing decisions. If not, and there is no governmental emphasis on regional economic development and balance, and no consumer preference possible, then we will experience an increasingly global marketplace, with all of its negative consequences.
- Maldistribution of income/purchasing power
- Vulnerability to unavailability of key goods due to political instability and supply chain disruptions
- Inflation due to very likely long-term increases in transportation costs
Regionally healthy and balanced economies are important.
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