The 2022 documentary Planet Local – A Quiet Revolution is both a powerful critique of economic globalisation and a celebration of the kaleidoscope of grassroots initiatives that together form a growing movement for change: away from corporate rule towards the true democracy that more local markets make possible.

Away from the screens of the mainstream media, the crude ‘bigger is better’ narrative that has dominated economic thinking for centuries is being challenged. As people work to protect and restore their local economies, their communities, and the natural world, countless diverse initiatives are demonstrating a new path forward for humanity.

It’s a path that localises rather than globalises, connects rather than separates, and shows us that human beings need not be the problem – we can be the solution.

The film is built around edited presentations made for an event organised by Local Futures – World Localization Day – featuring prominent thinkers and activists from 6 continents, together with on-the-ground examples of localisation in action, the film highlights some key issues:

• The disproportionate power and influence exerted by a handful of giant multinational corporations.
• The role of governments in supporting globalisation — through taxes, subsidies, and regulations.
• The madness of “redundant trade” that sees countries routinely importing and exporting identical quantities of identical products.
• The crucial connection between localisation and diversity.
• The role localisation can play in helping to rebuild community.
• The political changes needed to move from here to there.
• The “unstoppability” of localisation

Contributors to this film include Vandana Shiva, Russell Brand, Noam Chomsky, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Naomi Klein, Jane Goodall, Iain McGilchrist, Gabor Maté, Brian Eno, Jeremy Lent, and many others.

Watch the masterclass:

I hope you enjoy this free one-hour masterclass discussion between myself — Permaculture Education Institute founder Morag Gamble — and Helena Norberg-Hodge of Local Futures and World Localisation Day.