Characteristics of Localisation

Government Policies

• Investment in capital projects, incinerators, renewables, roads etc. cease through lack of funding
• Interest rates are increased to counter inflation caused by high fuel costs.

Business

• Property values at first boosted by a flight from equities, collapses in the face of increased interest rates and depressed economy. Construction ceases completely.
• Businesses which adapt to doing business with local suppliers and local customers survive. Those with the knowledge and skills to repair machinery are in particular demand.
• Everyone with a patch of land starts growing food for personal use and to barter for other services.
• Urban residents invade and squat well located agricultural land.
• Local currencies develop.
• Multinationals decentralise to try and adapt to changing supply and demand.

Household

• Foods we have become used to are rarely available: bananas, cheap frozen meals, coffee, tea!
• Maintaining a car and obtaining fuel for it becomes increasingly difficult, although periods of low oil prices help. We no longer travel on a whim, but plan our trips to make best use of fuel. Neighbours share trips to town for shopping.
• Most food is grown at home or supplied from local producers.
• People develop micro-businesses to supply goods or services that can be used to trade for essential needs.