Daniel Russo
DCL
You may have heard of pro surfer Kyle Thiermann before on Planet Green. Earlier this year he rocked the banking world with his Claim Your Change project. According to Leah's article, he single-handedly redirected over $110 million away from Bank of America after learning about their investment in coal power plants while on a surfing trip in Chile.
Now the 20-year old is at it again with his Buy Local Shop Global campaign. The pro surfer explains that reviving your local community means supporting small businesses.
For every $100 you spend in a local small business $45 goes back into your local economy, while for every $100 you spend at a multinational corporation only $13 goes back into your local economy. The rest goes to the corporation's headquarters. And buying locally means that you have a say in what you support. Talk to your local retailers and make sure the brands they carry go toward supporting causes that are important to you like the environment and fair wages for workers.
Watch Kyle and Annie Leonard from the Story of Stuff project discuss impacting your community and the world with your shopping choices:
This holiday season it's more important than ever to support small businesses. If you don't, next year that store may not be there anymore and you're left with less choice and stores that add virtually no character to the place you call home.
