In this excerpt from a longer presentation, Shannon Biggs, of Global Exchange, describes how more than 100 communities have enacted laws that place the rights of communities and nature over the claimed "rights" of corporations. It's a radical and inspiring approach that brings decision-making back to communities. Biggs is the Local Green Economy program director with Global Exchange. The full presentation also includes Thomas Linzey of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, and is available on DVD at http://www.peakmoment.tv. See the video
Yuba Gals Independent Media production partners Robyn Mallgren and Janaia Donaldson have been producing local video programs for community access television since 2002.
The Yuba Gals live in rural Nevada City and their business is named for the nearby South Yuba River, a part of the Wild and Scenic river system in California. They live on 160 acres of forest land, in a 1500 square-foot off-grid home using about 10% of the electricity of the average American home (including home office). Their home is heated by a wood stove using deadfall wood from their property. Propane heats the cookstove, on-demand water heater and backup generator (needed only during gray-day periods in winter). Not yet energy independent, but moving in that direction!
Fossil Fuel
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