“’Going local’ is a powerful strategy to help repair our fractured world—our ecosystems, our societies and our selves. Far from the old institutions of power, people are starting to forge a very different future...” So says The Economics of Happiness, a new documentary about the economic localization movement.

While this phenomenon is global in scale, it is also highly visible in the Bay Area, where so many initiatives for building a better world are underway. The film considers this remarkable, but not unique: communities all over the globe are “exploring potential solutions to the multiple crises we face—climate chaos, economic meltdown, and our own personal suffering such as stress, loneliness, and depression. These initiatives are … rebuilding more democratic, human scale, ecological and local economies—the foundation of an ‘economics of happiness.’” Localized movements and acclaimed individuals are profiled in the hour-long film.

A post-screening panel discussion with the co-director follows the film. A number of local community-based initiatives and organizations will be represented and recognized.

The event, free and open to the public (donations appreciated), premieres Thursday, January 13 at the David Brower Center (Goldman Theater), 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley. Seating at the Goldman Theater is limited. Please arrive early.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion with special guests including Richard Heinberg of Post Carbon Institute, Jenny Kassan of the Sustainable Economies Law Center, Rosa González of Bay Localize, and Eric Holt-Gimenez of Food First.

when: Thursday, January 13th 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm

where: David Brower Center (Goldman Theater), 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

organizational partners: Post Carbon Institute, Bay Localize, Sustainable Economies Law Center, Bay Area Community Exchange, Food First, Shareable, Other Worlds, Transition Albany, Berkeley Student Food Collective, the Ecology Center, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and KPFA Radio.

$15 suggested donation (no one turned away)

NOTE: Seating is limited at the Goldman Theater, and will be done on a 'first come, first seated' basis. Please try to arrive early. In the case of overflow we will do our best to make alternative arrangements.

About Meg Bertoni

Meg has been a writing, editorial, and research mercenary for over two decades. (Have laptop, will travel.) She holds a Ph.D. in international relations, and when not absorbed with Oakland’s stories and events, mostly teaches online graduate-level global affairs and writing courses. She has been obsessed with justice and strategy for as long as she can remember. Her personal blog is at megspohn.com.