2008 Woodie Awards
Local versus global debate ensues
Kaity Potak
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Local News
"Buy Local" is a familiar mantra to most Vermonters these days. From bumper stickers to facts posted on farmers' market bulletin boards, the movement implores consumers to support their communities and promote environmental conservation by purchasing food locally as often as possible. Scholar-in-residence in Environmental Studies Bill McKibben is a recognized local advocate and was recently invited to partake in a debate at the University of Vermont (UVM) this past Wednesday with George Mason University economist Russell Roberts on the merits of buying locally versus globally.
The inaugural debate in UVM's new Janus Forum, "Buy Local or Buy Global: A Debate," was moderated by Emerson Lynn, editor and publisher of the St. Albans Messenger, in front of a crowded audience of 700. The Janus Forum brings nationally recognized writers and scholars to campus to debate matters of social, economic and environmental interest. In light of the current economic crisis, this debate focused not only on the environmental implications of the Buy Local movement, but on the economic ramifications as well.
Russell Roberts, a self-described "pretty hardcore" economist, has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and is a frequent commentator on NPR. Offering his economics-based opposition to the buy local movement, Roberts offered his view that "the morality of buying local is an open question."
The moderator gave McKibben and Roberts 20 minutes each to present their positions, then a 10 minute rebuttal period, followed by questions from the audience members. McKibben opened the discussion with a request that the audience pull out a pencil and paper to keep track of the arguments that he would make. "Pay attention," he pointedly asked. He then clearly detailed 15 arguments that fell within the two larger categories of "environmental durability" and "community cohesion" and brought up such specific issues as the degradation of topsoil, the loss of genetic diversity and global warming, as well as local employment and community spirit.
The inaugural debate in UVM's new Janus Forum, "Buy Local or Buy Global: A Debate," was moderated by Emerson Lynn, editor and publisher of the St. Albans Messenger, in front of a crowded audience of 700. The Janus Forum brings nationally recognized writers and scholars to campus to debate matters of social, economic and environmental interest. In light of the current economic crisis, this debate focused not only on the environmental implications of the Buy Local movement, but on the economic ramifications as well.
Russell Roberts, a self-described "pretty hardcore" economist, has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and is a frequent commentator on NPR. Offering his economics-based opposition to the buy local movement, Roberts offered his view that "the morality of buying local is an open question."
The moderator gave McKibben and Roberts 20 minutes each to present their positions, then a 10 minute rebuttal period, followed by questions from the audience members. McKibben opened the discussion with a request that the audience pull out a pencil and paper to keep track of the arguments that he would make. "Pay attention," he pointedly asked. He then clearly detailed 15 arguments that fell within the two larger categories of "environmental durability" and "community cohesion" and brought up such specific issues as the degradation of topsoil, the loss of genetic diversity and global warming, as well as local employment and community spirit.
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