Think Global, Act Local
Does this actually work?
Even if you’ve been trying to avoid the news, you know the USA is in chaos. I’m not going to repeat any particular events, as I’m sure most of my readers are burnt out on doomsday media. My recent post, How Art Shapes Law, covered a precedent-setting environmental law case from the 1970s. Why does that matter today with all this chaos? Because understanding where we came from can help us figure out where to go.
Here’s what so many commentators miss: What’s happening today is nothing new for the United States. Being outraged is understandable, but commenters across the media being ‘shocked’ or thinking the USA is somehow displaying new prejudice, bias, or oppression is just inaccurate. The nation was founded on the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the genocide of Native Americans. The “founding fathers” didn’t value democracy—they were land-owning, educated (for the time) white men who believed that only wealthy white men should rule. The constitution used today is a compromise with slaveholders that supports minority rule and is VERY hard to amend. Commenters surprised by the current administration perhaps don’t remember the destruction of Black Wall Street during the Tulsa Race Massacre. Or removing residents from their homes in Seneca Village to create Central Park. Maybe they also forgot about the Japanese Internment Camps of World War II. Nor do they remember the slow pace at voting rights for women and people of colour, rights which are often infringed upon today. And there’s the military-industrial complex and the atrocities committed overseas, like the Vietnam War, the robbing of Haiti’s national bank, or the torture uncovered at Guantanamo.
When we consider the USA’s environmental journey, it also hasn’t been great. Labelling buffalo as “pests” and exterminating them was promoted as part of the hatred against Native Americans as the United States expanded westward. To this day, environmental racism takes the form of toxic waste dumps, air-polluting facilities, and major highways being placed in communities of colour. While there was a moment of triumph for endangered species when the Snail Darter won protection in court, Congress promptly punched out the teeth of the ESA. They created a workaround, establishing the “God Squad” to determine exemptions from the Act. Court cases weakened the ESA further. My least favourite is the 2018 Weyerhaeuser case. The court held that for an area to be designated as “critical habitat,” it must have essential features that currently support the species; basically, a species must be present in the area or the area must be immediately capable of supporting the species to qualify for the designation of critical habitat. This is terrible for site-loyal species like sharks, who will return to a habitat once conditions improve, even if they have been gone for decades.
Ten years before that, we saw the listing of the Polar Bear under the ESA. This was the first species to be listed with climate change as the primary threat to survival. Of course, the political and legal battle that followed illuminated that the ESA was not designed to regulate climate change, so it is unable to address the primary threat to Polar Bears. So, a huge gap exists in the ability to protect species from climate change; sadly, biodiversity loss and climate change fuel each other in a cyclical manner. Environmental racism persists, now expanding into climate injustice, via the destruction of ecosystems’ natural defences against climate change, which impacts the most vulnerable communities domestically and internationally.
But why should commentators know any of this? It’s not like it’s taught in school.
Of course, we could say it’s their job to know—at least those who hold positions where journalistic integrity is expected, but that’s another discussion. The USA’s public education system is certainly part of the problem, reflecting what the founding fathers wanted: good education for the wealthy (funding it by property taxes is blatantly inequitable) and white-washed content. In high school, I read Lies My Teacher Told Me, which made my US History textbook look like fiction (because it was). With Trump 2.0 destroying what’s left of federal institutions we actually care about and need, like the Department of Education, the National Parks Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), among others, while telling the world to f!ck off by pulling out of the Paris Agreement and starting a trade war with absurd tariffs, what are we to do? Where do we go from here?
Think Global, Act Local
I confess, it took me years to understand the full meaning of Think Global, Act Local. At first, I found it… condescending? Pandering? Useless? It just felt so small compared to the massive changes I wanted to see in the world. I felt like anything I said or did was just a drop in the ocean. But then I learned more about movements and what has successfully created systemic change. They always started small.
Starting small means you can start right now. It’s manageable and can yield quick, tangible results; that’s motivating for you and inspiring for others. Starting small builds community, trust, and creates local resilience. And, it can catch fire and yield major results. For example…
The Civil Rights Movement started small, including student groups, which is likely why Trump is trying to prevent protests at Universities.
The Environmental Justice Movement started in Warren County, North Carolina and spread across the country until the term was recognised and included in national policy (like the EPA’s Environmental Justice initiatives, something else Trump is trying to squash).
The Anti-Whaling Movement began with small advocacy groups and resulted in the International Whaling Commission adopting a global moratorium on commercial whaling that went into effect in 1986 and has resulted in many whale populations increasing (which is critical to ocean health and the health of the global climate).
Remember the law student drinking with the biologists in the river? As Professor Plater tells it, this student walked into his class asking if the discovery of an endangered species near the dam site would be enough for a 10-page term paper. That was the first Plater heard of the fish, the small fish that captured the nation’s attention and won a case in the Supreme Court, setting precedent for all future cases under the Endangered Species Act. You never know what small actions or unlikely champions will make a huge impact.
We have two choices. We could see the new Trump administration’s actions as the undoing of so much hard work and give up. Or, we could see this as the death rattle of an era—an era in which media has pretended the USA is #1 in anything good, an era of racism and misogyny, an era of killing the planet and people so that a few may profit, an era of lies and voter suppression, an era of misinformation campaigns and division… I could go on, but I think you get it. This administration is a desperate attempt to thwart the birth of a new era: one based on care, community, and restoring relationships with each other and with the critical habitat in which we live. These are the values that drove all successful social and environmental movements.
So how can we start small? You don’t have to do it from scratch. There are many, many organisations already in existence that you can join (ideas listed below). But who has the time? In this economy?! Allow me to offer two suggestions to help free up our time while creating more resilient communities:
Neighbourhood gardening. You don’t need a designated, city-approved “community garden” site. You can farm front and back yards, that awkward abandoned space between sidewalks, put planters on rooftops or hang them from windows. Doing this as a group allows you to pool resources, including knowledge, any start-up costs, and share the time to maintain it. Benefits include supporting pollinators and improved local biodiversity, better nutritional outcomes, less money spent at the grocery store, opportunities for kids of all ages to learn about food, science, and teamwork, and local resilience against supply chain problems from extreme weather or pandemics. The cost of eggs in some parts of the United States is insane right now—who has room for chickens?!
Neighbourhood childcare. While still common in most of the world, communal childcare was squashed in the USA with the myth of individualism and the promotion of the nuclear family. The nuclear family was originally called the “unstable family” due to parents being isolated from support systems, like grandparents, aunties and uncles, cousins, etc. If a neighbourhood can create a childcare rotation plan, that can reduce the high cost of childcare facilities or private nannies; a group-share nanny can also help with this, as can teen babysitters. The high cost of childcare can prevent some parents from being able to work due to low wages. With that financial burden gone, parents can then earn more money by going to work (maybe at a local nonprofit!) and/or use their time on other community projects like the neighbourhood garden.
Finding simple approaches like this to support your neighbours gives us all insight into what our local community needs while strengthening bonds and building trust. It’s like our own Congressional workaround, a grassroots punch in the teeth of capitalism that commodifies our time and well-being. Creating networks of shared childcare and growing food goes beyond our own local resilience and the strengthening of community bonds—it frees up our time to support more movements beyond our neighbourhood. Whether accepting a lower-paying nonprofit job, volunteering, or standing up for what matters at a protest, these local efforts make space for broader change. Community care has always been how we’ve pushed forward toward a more equitable, sustainable future, even in the face of authoritarianism—especially then.
Below are some possible steps you can take to create community childcare and community food systems. The considerations are just ideas! Each neighbourhood may have different needs and goals, but these steps can get everyone talking.
Added Benefits
By combining communal childcare with neighbourhood gardening days, we create opportunities for kids to learn where their food comes from while connecting with nature and their community. Children can take part in age-appropriate gardening tasks, simple science activities, and hands-on lessons in healthy cooking and food preservation. These shared experiences not only free up parents’ time but also nurture a new generation of food-literate, community-minded kids.
Additionally, teen participation in community garden and childcare projects builds valuable life skills like leadership, teamwork, project management, and community organizing. These real-world experiences stand out on resumes and college applications, showing initiative, responsibility, and social impact. Many high schools also offer volunteer credits or service hours for this type of community work, giving teens a chance to earn recognition while making a meaningful difference in their neighbourhood.
We’re coming from a long history of fighting oppression. Together, we can grow resilience, one community at a time.
For community resilience endeavours:
Start with an in-person or virtual meeting where everyone can discuss the community’s needs; sharing a vision and goals will help unite participants and ensure success.
Community Childcare
1) Shared Vision & Agreement (Example)
Purpose: Provide free, reliable childcare within the neighbourhood by pooling time, skills, and spaces.
Values: Safety, inclusivity, community-building, mutual respect, and accessibility.
Bonus: Mixed age groups provide leadership opportunities for kids; older ones help with basic things like buttoning jackets or homework; increase empathy by playing together; older kids can design group projects; continue to forge bonds amongst children in the community.
2) Member Roles
Caregivers: Parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, trusted neighbours, or vetted volunteers who rotate shifts.
Coordinator(s): One or two people responsible for scheduling, communication, and ensuring safety.
Backup Helpers: On-call neighbours for last-minute coverage or support; can also be local teens looking for work experience in the childcare field.
Optional: Teen Leadership Opportunities - teens can design activities with the younger kids, like community garden projects (see below), art projects, and reading programs for quiet time.
3) Scheduling System
Create a weekly or monthly rotating schedule based on availability.
Time slots: 2-4 hour shifts, for example; not all shifts need to be the same length!
Use a simple online tool (like a Google Sheet or free app) or a physical bulletin board in a common area.
4) Safe, Shared Spaces
Identify homes, yards, parks, libraries, community centres, etc. where childcare and engaging activities can safely happen; include locations on schedule.
Ensure each location has basic necessities: first aid, snacks, water, shade/shelter, and bathroom access.
5) Basic Safety Guidelines
Consider Child-to-Adult ratios (e.g. 4:1 for ages 2–5, 6:1 for 6–12); for activities at specific places, like visiting the public library, smaller groups can form.
Emergency contact sheet for all children
Clear pick-up/drop-off times and authorized pick-up list
Basic safety protocols (like allergy awareness, safe play rules, etc.)
Optional: organise a basic CPR/first-aid workshop for caregivers
6) Participation Agreement
Each family commits a set number of hours per week or month based on their capacity — or contributes in another way (organizing, snacks, supplies, etc.)
Non-parent volunteers welcome, pending community approval (such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, teen babysitters, etc.)
Community Food Network
1) Shared Vision & Principles
Purpose: Grow, share, and exchange fresh, local produce by using whatever space is available in the neighbourhood.
Values: Accessibility, cooperation, sustainability, zero-waste, and local food resilience.
Bonus: Fun learning opportunities for kids! Leadership and teamwork experience for all ages.
2) If there’s no community garden plot and/or if the neighbourhood wants to produce more: Decentralized Growing Spaces!
Private Yards & Balconies: Neighbors grow herbs, vegetables, and fruits in their personal spaces.
Window Boxes & Planters: Compact, high-rotation crops like salad greens, cherry tomatoes, and herbs.
Public Edges & Parkways (between sidewalk and street): Used with care (or guerrilla-style) for community-friendly, low-maintenance crops like kale, chard, herbs, strawberries, or pollinator flowers.
Vertical or Trellis Gardens: On fences or walls, for beans, squash, or tomatoes.
3) Crop Coordination (Optional but Helpful)
Informally or through a shared list, note who’s growing what to avoid overproduction and fill in gaps.
Encourage easy, high-yield, resilient crops suited to local soil and climate.
4) Harvest Sharing System - Simple, informal ways to share:
Weekly or biweekly produce swap — neighbours bring extra produce to a set gathering point (front porch, park bench, or community mailbox area).
Harvest tables — small stands or boxes outside homes for free pickup.
Doorstep drop-offs for neighbours who can’t garden themselves (elderly, disabled, etc).
Group text or other community announcement re: what’s available and where.
5) Preservation & Food Rescue
Community canning days (jams, pickles, sauces)
Drying herbs/produce
Freezing surplus produce for soup or smoothies.
Rescue excess from local stores or farmers’ markets to redistribute.
6) Collective Care & Support
Seed and cutting swaps
Share tools, soil, mulch, or compost.
Host informal workshops or garden walks.
Help each other with weeding, watering, or building planters.
7) Neighborhood Food Map (Optional, hand-drawn or digital - could be a fun regular project for older kids/teens!)
Where shared growing spaces are.
Types of produce are available and when/where.
Drop-off/pickup points.
Tool libraries or seed exchange boxes.
Possible Combinations of Communal Childcare & Community Food Networks
Hands-On Garden Helpers
Activities: Planting seeds, watering plants, and harvesting ripe produce; Collecting compostable scraps and helping turn compost piles; Making plant labels or decorating garden signs.
Teamwork Focus: Kids work in small groups to care for specific garden areas or crops, learning to share tasks and celebrate small successes together.
Junior Garden Leaders
Activities: Leading younger kids in simple tasks like watering or collecting herbs. Helping plan what to grow each season by voting or suggesting favourite foods. Keeping a garden journal or map to track what’s growing and where.
Leadership Focus: Older or more experienced kids take on mentoring roles, learning responsibility while guiding younger kids and making group decisions.
Kitchen & Preservation Crew
Activities: Washing and prepping veggies for snacks or cooking projects. Making simple recipes like garden salads, herb butter, or sun tea. Assisting with canning days by labeling jars, measuring ingredients, or setting up.
Teamwork & Learning Focus: Kids practice working as a team in the kitchen, learning basic food skills, safety, and how to preserve what they’ve grown.
Teen Organizing Roles in the Community Garden & Childcare Program
Garden Coordinators
Plan planting schedules, choose crops, and organize supply runs.
Set up work groups for kids and younger volunteers.
Track garden progress and keep a shared calendar or garden journal.
Leadership Skills: Project planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and delegation.
Activity & Workshop Leaders
Design and run simple garden-based lessons, science experiments, or cooking demos for younger kids.
Organize mini-events like a Harvest Day, Garden Games Afternoon, or Smoothie Challenge.
Pair up with adult mentors to learn facilitation and public speaking.
Leadership Skills: Event organizing, teaching, communication, and creativity.
Community Connectors
Help manage social media, flyers, or neighbourhood notices about garden days and produce swaps.
Collect feedback from neighbours and suggest new ideas for events or projects.
Act as liaisons between adults, kids, and the wider community.
Leadership Skills: Networking, advocacy, community outreach, and digital skills.
Are you currently (or previously) engaged in projects like this?
Please share any tips in the comments!
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I have been a part of a community food network with other growers, and it does work! It helps community members know what resources exist!