image by Roberto Garcia-S

Yesterday I signed my business up for the Berkshares, meaning that my Pilates studio in Stockbridge, MA (in Berkshire County) will accept this local currency. It works just like a dollar, and because 100 US Dollars are worth 105 Berkshares, the customer receives a 5% discount simply by using them. Several hundred businesses participate in this scheme and millions of Berkshares have circulated through the local economy. And that is the point: to strengthen businesses and trade in this area.

Alternative currencies or trade systems have existed in a large number of places all over the world, ever since 1934, when the WIR Bank was founded in Switzerland. There are a lot of different approaches, some using actual currency, some, as time banks, crediting people for the hours they spend working for others that they can then trade in for services they need. One of the better known systems here is LETS, as well as the Ithaca Hour (worth 10 dollars) or the Toronto dollar. In economically tough times, these alternative methods of payments or barter systems make particular sense, connecting people without work but skills to offer and people without dollars but the need for help.

And as a sign of just how well accepted these concepts can become: Ithaca has the first credit union now accepting an alternative currency as mortgage payments!

Another example of people turning a crisis into an opportunity to re-structure their community: Two young men in Clinton, Ohio used the departure of transport giant DHL and the 10,000 jobs lost in its wake to mobilize their town and county to build a new economy. A quote from their website: “Instead of using a piece-meal strategy of small policy changes and isolated investments in Green infrastructure, we believe that a testing ground is needed to research and develop new technologies and strategies, and to build a critical mass of businesses and expertise that will spur Green development across the country. We propose that Wilmington be designated as the country’s first Green Enterprise Zone to serve as a model and incubator for businesses, technologies, and ideas: the mid-Western Silicon Valley of the Green economy.”

One of their initial steps is to apply for money from the federal stimulus plan in order to weatherize the town’s homes, thus putting people to work while helping them save money. In addition to helping their own area, the pair has come up with a step-by-step guide to helping others do the same.

While the verdict is still out on whether or not we already have the technologies we need to produce enough energy and goods worldwide in sustainable ways, some places are setting powerful examples, as described here in the Guardian UK: plans to make Scotland 50% reliant on renewable energy sources are ahead of schedule, new figures released by the Scottish Parliament today suggest. Current targets are to meet half the country’s electricity demand from renewables by 2020 with an interim target of 31% by 2011. “The government has determined 26 energy applications since May 2007, including consenting to 20 renewables projects, totalling more than 1.5 gigawatts,” said a spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond. “As a result, we are well ahead of schedule in meeting our renewables energy targets. The consented projects, as well as those already operating, represent some 35% of Scotland’s electricity needs. We are ahead of our targets on clean, green energy, which is great news for Scotland’s economy. And we are making a contribution to tackling global warming, which is great news for the environment.” One way to find out what is possible is by doing it!

Finally, a call to action: 1sky, a nationwide climate initiative out of Washington, DC is calling on people to visit their members of Congress, who will be home for a couple of weeks in April. This is a good moment to let them know how much you are behind bold and unapologetic climate legislation. It’s a powerful way of making an impact and get to know the person behind the name in the newspaper. And politicians know very well that each person who comes to see or writes to them stands for many more who didn’t speak up. 1Sky is making it easy. You find all the help you might need to set up an appointment, talking points etc. right here

Good luck and we would love to hear about what happened! Victoria and Megan participated in a similar campaign last summer as part of The Sunny Way’s Democracy Challenge and both really enjoyed the experience of getting up close and personal with how our government works.