30 Localized Social Initiatives

From community-building consulting companies to clean air clothing, these localized social initiatives take to heart the "hear globally, act locally" phrase. Rather than looking internationally to the world's problems, these social enterprises consider what could be improved in their own backyards.

Unfortunately to some extent, the term "local" has been appropriated by the food industry to designate food grown and/or produced within a certain range. There's the 100 mile diet, for instance, among other initiatives getting people to think closer to home. But according to Tree Hugger in its "There Is More to the Local Movement Than Just Food," it also matters if you're shopping from non-local businesses or locally owned ones. After Hurricane Sandy, New York City adopted many localized social initiatives to get people shopping, especially downtown.