Take Action

All good things start small.

But where do we begin? Nothing will ever change if we just sit on the couch. You don't have to protest, you don't have to march on Washington- but local initiatives can make a big difference right here and now.

See this list for a few.

There's a lot you can do to make a Resource-Based-Economy happen, but the best thing you can do today would be spreading the word. The more people that know about RBE, the better- especially people in power such as mayors, city councilmen and academics at the local college. If the concept is explained in a clear and understandable way, they may begin to show more interest.

Localize Manufacturing

The next most important thing is to support and create makerspaces. Self-Sufficient, local manufacturing is critical to a resource-based economy. Aim to keep as many resources in your community as possible. In the beginning you will not be able to make that much stuff- and that's okay. Over time, as technology develops your production capability will grow.

Get a large group of people to recycle their paper, plastic and metals- then pool your resources to purchase a 3-d printer. As more people join, you may be able to purchase more expensive machinery such as a CNC machine, an induction furnace and a bioreactor to turn compost and organic waste into fuel.  Instead of taking the material you recycle to your local dump or recycling drop-off, take it to your 3-d printer. You can use this waste plastic and other materials to create new objects. 

If you have the technical know-how, create a wood gasifier to run your vehicle. It's clean, it's easy and it's far cheaper than using gasoline. Even better, it passes most state emissions tests with flying colors. Biomass is the ultimate renewable, solar energy source.

Minimize the use of money in your life

Cut back and encourage others to do the same. Consider using JOATU as a way to share currently unneeded belongings, such as power tools or surfboards. Jack of all trades universe is a resource-sharing app, not unlike Airbnb or Uber. The only difference is that you can share nearly anything with it. 

Approach and Educate Local Businesses 

See if any local businesses would be willing to contribute their waste products to your compost/recycling program, and use the opportunity to educate them about a resource-based economy. The more people that know of an alternative to today's failing systems, the better.

Don't wait for the collapse 

Got a way to bring RBE closer to reality? Just do it. The truth is, we will all be dead when the "collapse" happens- because it never will. It's the nature of the current system not to collapse in one big step, but to gradually get worse over time. It isn't that much different from a frog in a boiling pot, with the heat slowly rising higher. By the time the "collapse" happens, it will be too late to do anything. That's why the change has to start today.

Now that you've read what you can do today, let's take a look at what you can do tomorrow. Read the transition plan here.