A Choice is a Vote: Your actions make our city better/worse.

When I started MVB, I made a list of posts topics so that I would not run out while waiting for more ideas. Turns out, I am yet to cover a fraction of that list. I guess that that's a good thing.

Post Synopsis:

- Every action/choice you make is a vote for more of that action/choice.

- Therefore, little lifestyle changes can make our cities better.

- Government should aid this process.

- Two great examples from NYC

"Be the change..."

MVB developed from both my collective interests and a desire to promote action and change at 'home'. We seem to be at the peak of a trend in which responsible and progressive individuals are committing money, ideas, and action to humanitarian work overseas.

That is great and all, but we need a greater emphasis on improving the way we live our lives at the individual level in the Western world. (And, the way we live is inseparable from where we live.)

To me, our ability to enact positive change in our lives and cities is far greater than we think, and our individual influence comes in many forms.

For example...

Not too long ago, I was involved in a debate about whether or not an individual person's action/vote can make a difference.

No, a single vote or action never has or never will make the difference, which is why my vote and individual actions don't really matter.

vs.

Yes, each vote or action does and will make a difference or even the difference, which is why my vote and individual actions do matter.

Long story short, my future-wife (and I) successfully defended our position, and we all ended up agreeing that...

1. Every choice you make is a VOTE for (more of) that particular thing.

2. Each vote and VOTER is also a voice that accelerates the difference made by encouraging others to make the same choice/action.

Therefore: Shop at local businesses = vote for more local business. Buy locally-grown produce = vote for more local food production. Cycle to work = vote for more bicycle infrastructure. Don't vote or have a say = let the yokels have their way.

Consider choice=vote in making Victoria better!

peoplepoweredmovement.org

I think that government can play an important role in this process by collaborating with the public in order to facilitate Do-It-Yourself change.

MVB has a lot of DIY and YIMBYism posts/links, but I just came across to great examples of this:

1. New York City has a MillionTreesNYC initiative in which the city will deliver a free tree to any resident/business upon request and also offer a free workshop on tree-care to each recipient.

2. New York City has a CityRacks initiative which (conditions apply) the city will install a bicycle rack -- free-of-charge -- to any business or resident upon request.

Brilliant!

I know Toronto has/had a similar tree initiative. What about Victoria?