Imprint | Full Documentary

What can one person do? What can a group of people do? What do we want to leave behind? In the feature length film “Imprint” we visit 13 projects in 13 different places where committed groups work for a vibrant future. A personal and poetic investigation into what it means to be fully human in the age of the Anthropocene. A co-production between Campfire Stories and the Swedish Transition Network.

The topics that the film investigates include:

• Solutions to food waste.
• The importance of knowing your neighbours; of collaborating and celebrating together.
• The importance of the work of poets and artists during troubled times.
• Replanting forests.
• Local food resiliency.
• A grocery store that went from being boarded up to being locally co-owned.
• Greta Thunberg and Fridays for Future.
• ”End Ecocide” – recognising nature’s legal rights.
• Tipping elements explained by Andreas Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research.
• The connection between inner and outer transition.
• Downscaling, simplifying and tiny house living.
• Local economies.

Cast: Andy Frank, Anton Pettersson, Ylva Lundqvist-Fridh, Fredrik Lundqvist Fridh, Annelie Hilmerby, Dougald Hine, Maria Westerberg, Johannes Söderqvist, Thorsten Laxvik, Carolina Castillo, Melda Nahnfeldt, Pella Thiel, Christine Wamsler, Johan Örlander, Sandra Falkeborn, Nils Phillips, Axel Lindén, Greta Thunberg and Johan Rockström.

Links
• Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChttQ_atRLhOMKwAMzdDAeg/join
• Please join our Patreon crew to support us and get an inside track to new releases: https://www.patreon.com/mattiasolsson
• We’ve made a separate short film about Maria “Vildhjärta” Westerberg called Once Upon a Forest: https://youtu.be/C5ozGHIK03A
• Maria and her partner Johannes are also part of our films A Tale from the Woods: https://youtu.be/-Yp_aLxQnn0 and #treetoo: https://youtu.be/qlJgcuMDWoQ
• Read more about the markets that Andy Frank is part of manifesting in Stockholm: https://southside19.com/
• Read more about Folkets Skafferi’s efforts to save and redistribute food: https://folketsskafferi.se/
• Listen to Anton Pettersson’s song Tom Bombadil from the film: https://open.spotify.com/track/3f7ZCCG0UsWLjI5hiNdS4u?si=e56edfa2cc414bcd
• Read more about Ylva Lundqvist-Fridh and her work with Social Finance: https://www.givasverige.se/faq/ylva-lundkvist-fridh/
• Read about some of the Permaculture projects in Stjärnsund: https://xn--stjrnsund-x2a.nu/
• Find out more about the Dark Mountain Project: https://dark-mountain.net/ and about Dougald Hine and A School called HOME: https://aschoolcalledhome.org/
• Read more about Thorsten Laxvik and co-subsistence in Edsele: https://edsele.se/
• Read more about the co-owned grocery store in Önneköp: https://levandeonnekop.se/
• Read more about Fridays for Future: https://fridaysforfuture.org/ and Rebellmammorna: https://extinctionrebellion.se/rebellmammorna/
• And about the Aurora case, where Swedish youths are suing the government: https://xn--auroramlet-75a.se/
• Read more about Pella Thiel: https://pellathiel.se/ and End Ecocide: https://www.endecocide.org/en/
• Watch videos on Youtube with Dr. Christine Wamsler: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrvxER7MH8wSUKctwYtzdlP9HelUdZOeh
• Find out more about the Wilderness courses with Johan Örlander: https://www.munkafolkhogskola.se/naturlivskurser/
• Read about the local currency Backs in Malmö, Sweden: https://www.malmoideella.se/backs
• Find out more about the author Axel Lindén: https://www.albertbonniersforlag.se/forfattare/46601/axel-linden/
• Visit the open stage at Mässingshornet in Malmö: https://www.facebook.com/groups/290745460987511/
• Listen to Knyttet Larsson, who played at Mässingshornet in the film: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4o69xkPHZO0YExSjygmdO8?si=tJ7_-e6BTCiShdzdsuGszA
• Visit the packaging free store Gram in Malmö: https://www.grammalmo.se/

My daughter. I try to imagine her as an adult. That maybe she has her own kids.
And that I’m a grandfather. Then another step.
That I’m no longer here. Just as some kind of echo. A forefather. They say that what I do
makes no difference. What if one would stop thinking that way? How would we affect each other,
and the ecology – – if we would believe,
or even know – – that our actions,
that the actions of one small person – – is of the utmost importance? “One small person” I said. But she’s rather powerful
when she acts in a group. I’m thinking we need to find each other. And find the power to break free
from an individualistic mindset. Where I live we have this beautiful center. I thought early on that: “What a
shame. Nothing’s happening here.” Especially on this side of town there’s
a lot of nice centers along the train line. But nothing’s happening. In Portland,
in every neighborhood you’d have – – farmers markets, flea markets, yard sales … It was no big thing. So here it was just … I would always think about
how we could reclaim this space. For me these markets and festivals are – – community emerging. This is what
it looks, smells and tastes like. This is the variety of aliens and
humans we have in our hood. Really just simple, celebrating that. The various proposed actions to mitigate
climate change fall into two categories. Either lifestyle changes, such as
recycling or eating vegetarian food. Or laws and guidelines for
corporations and nation states. Such as the Paris agreement. The problem with these categories
is that one seems too insignificant – – and the other too big and far away. There’s a huge gap between these
categories that I’d like to explore. You can be a changemaker
as part of a community. As an extension of the self. You are a community builder with
these block parties that you manifest. – What comes to mind when you hear “community”?
-We are a reflection of community. When you think of what goes on within.
With trillions of cells – – working together in sacred choreography. There’s not one cell more awesome than another.
We need brain cells, heart cells, blood cells. And we’re a reflection of that. We’re not a reflection of separation,
but of a deep, profound connection. As we move into community,
which we’re a manifestation of – – we start to become aware
of the importance of our role – – which is unlike any other person’s role.
We can only see that in community. As you do that and put your life force in that – – it taps you into deeper creativity. And that deeper creativity is … That will take us to where we need to go.
We don’t know what it’ll look like. So long as it doesn’t look the way it’s
looking now, we know that’s not working. The gift of these times is
we’re able to move out of that. But we can only do it in community. Where we can directly awaken each other. And move out of this outdated map
that’s not serving us anymore. Don’t add any more please.
We might have to take some off. I don’t think we’ll make it. – What kind of fish is it?
– It’s sea bass. – Wow, that’s really good.
– Yes, it’s delicious. How long does it keep in the fridge? If you take off the head
and guts you can freeze it. – You’ll take it?
– Yes, of course. Don’t wait until tomorrow.
Then you’d have to throw it away. Super. This is great. I’ve started toying with the
idea that my actions matter. And I’ve set out on this trip
to be inspired by others. I really love this project you’re running.
Can you tell me how it works? “People’s Pantry” is … I call it organized dumpster diving. Our organization has contacted
different grocery stores – – and asked if we can
take care of their food. Food which would otherwise
have been thrown out. – Karin, do we give out whole boxes?
– Let’s decide later. One team collects and another sorts it. Then people in need come and pick up. They’re given an assortment
of what was available that day. – … and bread?
– Yes please. – Have a nice evening.
– Thanks. I’ll put the eggs here. It’s nice to do something so concrete. I think we need that.
It’s not possible to understand – – that you’re doing good work
on just a mental level. That doesn’t do it.
In my opinion. When I imagine a place where totally
different people come together – – to create positive change – – then I think of Stjärnsund. What do you think it is about this
place that makes it so special? It is a little village in the woods
in southern Dalarna – – with a year-round population of 400. It’s a real melting pot of different
cultural expressions. We have – – a folk music festival
for people who are into that. And dance evenings. The old industry buildings
are a cultural heritage. So we have people interested in
conservation of historical buildings. Then there’s the people who moved
here and started “Fridhem”. That have a more spiritual inclination. Then there’s the “green wave” group. Who are interested in the
environment and homesteading. -What a pretty flower.
– Yes. It’s a lovely community. With a great mix of people
who are very engaged. As a parent, you want your kids to
be able to try different activities. But it can be a challenge
to keep up with all the gear. After you bought those skis there’s no
guarantee they’ll want to keep skiing. So I thought of a sports library. Instead of borrowing books
like in a regular library – – here you’ll be able to
borrow sports equipment. There’s so many activities to try – – and you might not want to buy
all that gear. Better to borrow it. WELCOME TO THE
GARDEN OF BIODIVERSITY Some people who come here
might think it’s a bit messy. But after they’ve taken the tour
they begin to understand that – – there’s an environmental
engineering idea behind the mess. Right, they tend to get inspired and relaxed. When they hear that a messy
garden can be quite good. With heaps of twigs, high grass and thistles. And when they understand that
it’s actually not that complicated. You don’t need to read
thick books on permaculture. It’s more a matter of just doing it.
Inviting the wild into your yard. – I’ll write “corn” here, sweetie.
– Yes. – I don’t know exactly how it looks.
– It’s like green. Potatoes. Onions. Corn. Beets … – Is dad going to shoot something?
– No, it’s a stick. – He’s going to throw it to Ben.
– Ok. We’re taught early that
we don’t make a difference. No real difference. That we’re just one little person,
among billions of others. But what if we add another variable
to the calculation: time. Ok, an example I heard recently. Who would you say was the most important
person in the history of South Africa? Most people would probably
say Nelson Mandela. But if you’d instead ask how he could
remain peaceful all those years in prison. And how he could get out
of there without wanting – – bloody revenge for what he
and his people had gone through. What gave him that strength? I don’t know the answer,
but maybe it was his grandmother. Who gave him so much wisdom
and love when he was a child. And that he carried that with
him through the years in captivity. And if that was the case,
who was then – – the most important person
in South Africa’s history? In that case it was
Nelson Mandela’s grandmother. We’re in the chaos of the
old shoe shop in Östervåla. Which shut its doors in 2015. Five years later we found it. It had been in the same family
for three generations. The picture on the wall is
what it looked like originally. It was just what we were looking for. A big space to bring people together
and do courses and workshops. I’m thinking about change
and how to be a change maker. You’re the co-founder of a project I think
was born out of a similar contemplation. – The Dark Mountain Project.
– Yes. Could you talk about what that is
and how it came to be? It started as a conversation between
me and Paul Kingsnorth. We were both journalists,
environmentalists and writers. We’d reached a point of disillusionment
with the worlds that we’d been part of. We saw people giving the same speech
they’d given five years earlier. Trying to rouse people:
“This time we can do it!” And if you talked to the same speaker
quietly at the end of the night – – you’d often find they were in fact
pessimistic to the point of despair. That gap felt dangerous to us. But also that, if we could bring
into view and stop hiding – – our darkness, our fear,
our not knowing what to do – – it might turn out to be a threshold. A gateway we needed to go through
to something we didn’t know yet. We talked quite a bit in the early days
about the space between stories. That it wasn’t necessarily a new story
the world is looking for. That it might involve quieting down and listening. Hearing the stories that had
been told for a long, long time. That didn’t get taken seriously
in recent generations. And that the failure to listen
or loss of the capacity for listening – – might be part of how we
got into the mess we’re in. The other thing we were
saying in the manifesto is – – we think what we do as writers,
artists, poets and storytellers – – might be important to how we
deal with the mess the world is in. In ways that go beyond delivering the message
about climate change to the general public. Which is how artists are usually brought
in to projects around climate change. OFFLINE I’ve filmed here before,
but then the forest looked different. Can you tell me what’s
happened to the forest here? What’s happened here is the same
that’s happened in many other places. Which is a monoculture
responding to global warming. In this case, where there’s only fir trees,
the bark beetle arrived – – and devoured most of the majestic
firs that have surrounded me. It was a shock.
In my naïveté and vanity – – I’d believed that, because it’s me,
who loves the forest so much – – who even makes art from it – – that we’d magically be spared from
these massive changes in the world. I saw it as a personal defeat. With a strange sense of shame attached to it. – Put the base of it there.
– Like this. Beautiful. This will be great. I began planting trees,
very sad and afraid. Out of panic and desperation. After my 300th tree I noticed
my heart beating a little slower. So many worms. I felt strong. Planting trees
makes you physically strong. I didn’t feel as sad.
And I slept well. And I’m not as afraid of
everything all the time. – This one is moss-covered.
– Awesome! We found this yesterday
on a cliff, leaning. There wasn’t any
nourishment for it. It was barren.
So we brought it here. We’re giving it a barrel of
manure and organic matter. And this.
Which is a forest, just lying down. Then it’ll get super motivated,
just like I am. After the 800th tree I started smiling. I noticed a squirrel that had been studying me. The sorrow has passed.
I’m not as panicked anymore. It’s not that climate change
has disappeared from my life – – it’s just that I’ve
found a way to handle it. You’re a member of the Communal
Homesteading Group here in Edsele. What is that? This group is a result of …
When the pandemic started – – we wondered how children and the
elderly would get food when the crisis hits. It turned out there was no plan for that. Then we formed the
Communal Homesteading Group. We called it that to point out
it’s not about self-subsistence. It’s about doing it collectively.
Like people always have. Some of us started growing vegetables
and we formed a potato group. We were given seed potatoes
from a project in Söderhamn. We planted 600 kg the first year. And reaped four tons.
Some of the youngsters – – threw potato sacks
onto the flat bed of their trucks – – and made rounds to the elderly,
who had always farmed before. And gave away potatoes. If there’s a crisis, we have
enough food for ourselves – – and some others, for about a year. But if you think in terms of “me”
you become a prepper. We have to think about our society. And what kind of
responsibility we have locally. Come on, sheep. One important part of the transition is – – to step away from the prevailing
individualistic approach. Which is part of the neo-liberal
market economy mindset. I believe that a transformed,
more sustainable economy – – is a relations-economy where
we meet challenges together. And benefit from the advantage we have – – to collaborate and be smarter together. I’m traveling around on
an inspiration journey. I’ve heard of an exciting project
around the grocery store here. But first, could you tell me
a little bit about this place? Önneköp is its own republic.
With its own flag. Something that started
20 years ago as a joke – – has led to an identity
and a feeling of community. You feel like an “Önneköper”
regardless of ones origins. We ended up here thanks to some
friends who had a café here. When we returned from Paraguay we
wanted to settle in this part of Sweden. And, since our friends know us,
and know we’re into adventures – – they asked if we wanted to take over
the store, which was about to close down. Initially I thought no.
But … – Would you like a receipt?
– No thank you. But we like a good challenge.
And thought: “This will be perfect.” INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Now it’s co-owned by the community. We sell shares for 500 SEK a piece. If you have a share,
you’re the co-owner of the store – – and the building next door,
which is the cultural center. SAUERKRAUT FOR THE PEOPLE You can put those there. We started seeing a pattern
of who came to the store. One woman always came in on Thursdays. When she didn’t show up
one Thursday I called her. It turned out she was sick. I told her:
“We can deliver the groceries to you.” Then we started doing that.
Having that contact. We knew what they usually bought. If they didn’t come in, there was
someone actually missing them. Good to see you.
We weren’t here for your birthday. – We were in Paraguay.
– Sounds lovely. – I would’ve liked to be there too.
– Take care. It’s turned into a spontaneous
space for social interaction. Which is extra important
for people who are lonely. That they are seen. – You’re engaged in Fridays for Future.
– Yes. How did that engagement begin? It started in the evening of
Greta’s first strike day. My cousin had posted
an image of her on Facebook. And written about what she was doing.
Me and my dad were in the living room. He said: “Melda, check this out.” He turned the screen to me:
“This girl needs backup.” “Ok, I’ll go tomorrow.”
It was on Aug 21st 2018. It was the second day of the strike.
Three weeks before the election. What did people say? Some asked what we were doing
and why we weren’t in school. “Go study instead. That’s how
you can make a real difference.” When I’ve finished my
education it’ll be way too late. It’ll be over. Some people encouraged us, and others
were like: “What the f*ck are you doing?” But … It doesn’t matter when you know
what you’re doing is important. – Is this for us?
– I don’t know what they’re doing. Some might see it as a sacrifice to,
I don’t know, stop flying or – – spend your Fridays at protests.
What’s your take on that? I’ve had questions like that before.
“Isn’t it a pain to be vegan?” or: “isn’t it a drag to not fly?” It’s not really a sacrifice when
you win the future of your children. There’s so much to gain.
It’s so much healthier. – What are we going to do?
– Sue the government! Social justice will benefit everybody. It’s not really a sacrifice. Even if
you can’t buy that awesome sweater. But does that really matter? I mean, can you look your
grandkids in the eye and say: “Sorry that you can’t breathe.
But I had to have that sweater.” Nobody will say that.
It’s clearly not a sacrifice. Even though it might feel like it at the time. What really matters? Sweden carries a relatively large
responsibility for global emissions. And is accountable for the
severity of the climate crisis. Is it important to have a lot of money? And repress others for your own gain? Or is it better that we work together? That we love each other and
learn from each other. And that we listen, both to
the people we agree with – – as well as those that we don’t. The apocalypse.
Is … It’s a special state.
The word means “revelation”. And Nature’s Rights is a kind of revelation. Shouldn’t forests and oceans
have the right to exist? Then everybody say:
“Of course they should. And they do.” But you could argue that they don’t. In the current system they don’t. They don’t have the right to exist
in and of themselves. We have this idea that
“nature”, as we call it – – i.e, the other-than human
alive world, is a resource. It exists as an object for us to exploit. For our prosperity. And that’s how we treat it legally. So Nature’s Rights becomes powerful – – because it acts as a bridge to
another approach to the world. Which exists with pretty much
all indigenous peoples. It’s a different way of being. Where you understand yourself
as a part of a living whole. Which can’t be dominated or controlled. Something one needs to
collaborate and negotiate with. But nature can have rights. And they can be recognized
by the legal system. The same way we recognize
rights for corporations – – which really are just fictitious constructs. … where we will focus on making
ecocide an international crime. And how this can help reach the
UN sustainable development goals. It’s now my great pleasure
to introduce Pella Thiel. Who’ll be moderating this session with me. Pella is the co-founder of
End Ecocide Sweden. What has happened since 1970 … I can’t stop thinking about how life will
be for my daughter when she’s an adult. How do you think about
your kids and the future? My immediate feeling about
what’s being threatened – – and what drives me,
actually isn’t about my own kids. Because they … They are the fortunate ones
in the grand scheme of things. So rather, I would say … All the … All the suffering and death
which is written – – into the system.
Written in the stars. Which can’t be avoided.
And to see that – – play out.
And to know that I can’t – – that nobody can do anything
about it. That’s hard. All of us operate against the point that
you don’t want to go beyond 42 degrees. Then you shift from a
desired state: you’re alive – – to an undesired state: you die.
That’s a tipping point. It’s exactly the same thing
for the systems I showed here. What you see on this slide
is the latest assessment – – of the 9 of the known 15
large biophysical systems – – we call them tipping elements,
that show signs of instability. That are approaching tipping points.
If you push those too far – – by emitting greenhouse gases,
deforesting, polluting or degrading – – they’ll approach a threshold
and at a very specific point – – they’ll fall over, and a rainforest
can irreversibly tip over into a savanna. Or an ice sheet tips over and melts. And it’s unstoppable.
That’s what makes it a tipping point. That’s what makes it …
We must stay away from those points. The air we breathe – – is not the property of any one nation.
We share it. The oceans are not divided by frontiers.
They are our common property. Our future is common. We must share it together.
We must shape it together. I’m having a hard time
with the word “hope” lately. Like Greta said to some politician: “I don’t want your hope.
I want you to panic.” How do you feel about the word “hope”? I want to save the word “hope”. For me, the kind of hope worth having is
the kind that lies on the far side of despair. The kind that comes after we’ve
let go of our expectations – – and of any sense of entitlement. And it’s a stance.
A way of being in relation to the world. Which is still open to surprise. Even now after all that’s happened. Rather
than thinking we know the end of the story. There is hope.
But it doesn’t look like – – the kind of thing we were taught to expect. We have to go through
despair in order to land – – at a place where a hope
worth having might show up. And when it shows up
it’s going to ask things of you. It’s going to call you into doing something – – with the time you’ve got left.
However much that turns out to be. Perhaps “hope” doesn’t look
the way we’ve been taught. Maybe it’s more of a verb than a noun. And that you find it
on the other side of darkness. After we’ve let go of our
privileges and addictions. The mind lies at the very heart of the
catastrophic changes we’re seeing today. Climate change and other
sustainability challenges – – are the result of modern
society’s mindset of separation. That assumes that we’re all
separate from each other. And separate from the rest of the world. You focus your research on
inner transformation. Which can be a difficult concept to grasp. But I heard you explaining it once
by comparing it to an iceberg. How did that comparison go again? The iceberg, which is above the water – – are the crises that we’re seeing today. The visible events and crises. But much more, like 90% of the iceberg – – is hidden below the water. What’s hidden below are our
patterns of behaviour – – systems, our mindsets that – – in the end lead to the events and crises – – that we see on top of the iceberg. Climate change is a symptom of an inner crisis. A relationship crisis.
Which is – – intrinsically connected to
other societal challenges – – such as injustice, poverty, mental
ill health and sociopolitical conflict. In our modern society there’s a clear denial of – – this intersection of mind and climate change. There’s even a kind of resistance to change it. We want to go out there and fix things.
And just put in more technology. But we cannot solve the
problems we’re seeing today – – with the same mindset that has
actually created these problems. Humans tend to see ourselves as
something separate from nature. But in reality we are nature. I’m looking forward to
your thoughts on this. You are a leader for
survival courses, right? I wouldn’t call it a survival course.
Even though that’s part of it. It’s about learning to live in nature.
The way our forefathers and – – foremothers once did.
A hunter gatherer lifestyle. That’s what we teach.
It’s pretty basic – Basic human skills. How we can get everything
we need from nature. Going in the direction of a
hunter gatherer lifestyle – – maybe practically isn’t the
way forward for the masses. But in understanding that life,
maybe there’s a lot to learn? One thing is that we
don’t need that much stuff. Living like this you realise,
all you need fits in a backpack. You can go a year … I’ve lived many years with just
what you can fit in a backpack. Except for food. Like you say, not everybody
can be hunter gatherers. Then the lakes would run out of fish. We need to find ways to collaborate. Some people can be hunter
gatherers and others can farm. That’s central,
to have a community. Be part of a flock
as we call it. Having that is an important human need. So many of us live alone,
behind screens. So we try to satisfy that need
in other ways, that don’t work. – In what ways?
– Through consumption. We consume things we don’t need. As a replacement. In our society there’s so many choices. It’s like:
“The more choices the better.” And I’m doubtful that’s correct.
Living in nature – – you don’t have that many choices. There’s not ten different kinds
of fish to choose between. The simplicity of that is relaxing – – I think all the choices make us stressed. In my experience, simplifying
life makes you feel better. Everybody said I should go back. “You’ll be back at work soon.” What do you mean “go back”?
It burned me out. I shouldn’t go back.
I should change something. I had that feeling: “Is this
really how I want to live my life?” – What kind of job did you have?
– I worked with autistic adolescents. We took on clients with
double and triple diagnoses. Which we didn’t have the capacity for. The consequences fell on
the team, myself included. I felt terribly ashamed about it. I was only 27. “I’m not even 30
and I’m burned out.” Now I’m aware of how common it is. I understand that there’s
something wrong with the system. But then I thought it was my fault. And I didn’t want to tell anyone. I can’t recall when
I first heard of tiny houses. When did I hear of that? There’s no such moment. But it entered my
consciousness because – – I live in an area where
it’s not uncommon for people to – – live in a wagon or a tiny house or a yurt. It wasn’t just something people
do in other parts of the world. Or a distant dream.
There were people actually doing it. Then it just hit me:
“I’ll build a tiny house.” – So, you’ve built this yourself?
– Yes, all by myself. I hadn’t built anything before. I just did it anyway. You hadn’t built anything? I’ve thought about that a lot. Had I built anything?
And if so, what was it? I had built a shoe rack.
Which … Which kind of folded. Luckily I didn’t remember
that when I started. That was the only thing I had built before. I’ve kept it.
But it’s propped up. There’s something about
the fact that it’s scaled-down – – that makes all the demands
and the striving … I don’t have to relate to it.
I can’t fit more stuff here anyway. This is enough.
You can live well on 11 square meters. Open stage at Mässingshornet
means a welcoming atmosphere – – you can read a poem,
play your song, play a cover – Play something cliché,
play something weird. It’s a workshop for
daring to take the step. To show up and be proud. How are you doing? WE ACCEPT BACKS I’ll have a cinnamon bun and a coffee. Our biggest issue is we
made them too good-looking. So, people don’t want to spend them. When I’ve shown them to friends, they say:
“That’s cool. You have to keep it.” “It’s not for saving. It’s for spending.” There’s never been a test done
with a local currency in Malmö. We’ve picked a fun area
with a strong sense of identity. And it’s limited geographically. Those are good conditions for a trial. Today’s money is global and digital. They’re all over the world. The money we have here accomplish
very little in our local area. They’re at work in other places;
a mine in China or a factory in India. So, if I use my regular money
here in this coffee shop? Beep, into the bank and away. So, today’s money is global. And studies show that
if you spend 100 kronor – – you use it once in a community – – then it leaves that community,
and the country. It only circulates once. If you can get a currency to circulate
two or three times before it leaves – – revenue and employment increases
and it creates a stronger economy. You have to create an infrastructure
that helps money circulate. Today, money is digital and global. We need to find new ways to
support the local community. The economic systems,
just like ecological systems – – thrive with diversity. Because uniformity creates frailty. Which is a contributing
factor for reccurring – – finance crises which hit
the global population hard. I believe in developing local economies. Or local bartering systems. Local gift economies or currencies. We’re already seeing several effects.
Like, this café – “Is the butcher shop
down the street part of this?” “Then I can go shopping
there for my dinner.” And the people at the
butcher shop were like: “We’ve never been to that
restaurant across the street.” – It changes perspectives.
– Yes, and it changes buying patterns. And it strengthens the social fabric. By increasing awareness of local vendors
and encouraging collaboration. We can begin to localize
the economy now. I can decide to stop buying
beef from the Amazon. Along with my neighbors
we can keep sheep – – which can graze here. And we’ll
take care of the lambs together. Although I’m a vegetarian.
So instead I’m doing collective farming. Where we grow our beans
and peas in a sustainable way. I also subscribe to a locally
produced veggie box. I can partake in a sharing economy. When I’ve worn out my old fossil car – – I can, together with my neighbors,
buy an electric car. And create a co-owner contract
for sharing that resource. So that, instead of one car per person – – it’ll be one car per five people. We need a ruralization. If oil supplies dry up, one in ten
need to work with food production. That’s why we need a new village-system. Capable of producing, preparing
and distributing the food. And a reasonable operating-distance
for that is biking-distance. Meaning, you should be
able to reach the food – both where it’s grown and
consumed, within a parish. Everybody should be able to
reach it in a fossil-free way. – Jalapeño. And hot-lemon.
– We don’t have many of those. It doesn’t matter where you are.
You can make a difference in your area. Even if it’s just a matter of a small store. In this case there were so many factors – – that could turn a local
store into a revolution. From the point of view of
what people eat – – what they buy,
where does the food come from? The schools, the children.
From soil to plate. The only possible way is individuals
understanding a situation – – and taking responsibility
for that understanding. The system, by definition, will not do it. Existing organizations and institutions
cannot do this transition. But individuals can. Especially when they meet.
And begin to create together. ORGANIC EGGS AND VEGETABLES A few years ago I lived in Stockholm
and worked at the university. Now my life has taken a different turn. I’ve turned my back on the urban,
high tech, industrialized society. I still depend on it.
But I’ve turned my back on it. There’s a few of us who’ve done so.
Maybe there is a transition movement. All around us, motors,
machines and devices dominate – – which steadily suck
the life out of the planet. My daughter is petrified by power outages. Partly because she
can’t charge her phone – – partly because she thinks
it’s the beginning of the end. I don’t know what kind of
future I wish for my children. But maybe it needs to
begin with a power outage. This is not a solution to a problem. Look, this isn’t an answer. I’d rather say this is a problem.
One that we’ve created. We don’t have the solution either. Even if our method works,
it’s not enough that just we do it. But I’d rather have that
as my calling, than this. So what is my calling? Maybe all of the little things
we do are totally pointless? The things I’ve told myself
are some kind of right direction. To be honest I’m not sure. But I know that when I inhabit
the idea that it’s important. That it’s very important. To travel the country for inspiration,
or learn about gardening. Or to open what’s guaranteed to be
the smallest veggie store in Sweden. Then I feel good about getting
out of bed in the morning. It turns into an antidote
for self-hatred and apathy. HOTEL COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO Worst case scenario, we’re like the
band playing on a sinking Titanic. But the best case scenario
is something else. Something I don’t fully understand. We see the deer as a benign species,
even though they eat our tulips. We make films about them solely
about their benefit and beauty. Whereas we are like pests for ourselves. I’d like to be a part of changing that story. To be one little key in
a new story of humanity. In 100 years I’m no longer here. Maybe I have grandkids.
Maybe they remember me. What will they think
about the time that is now? What will they say about how things
were done back in grandpa’s days? In my grandparents’ days,
100 years ago – – the institute for racial biology
was founded in Uppsala. Where they measured skulls
and categorized ethnic groups. Today this is considered a
disgraceful stain on Swedish history. Which things that we do today will
be considered disgraceful to the future? Plastic-wrapped fruit from the other
side of the world? Or clearcutting? Or questioning transgender
people’s right to their identity? But an even better question
to ask might be this one: What will the people of the future
look back upon with gratitude? If we can do a little more
of those things, day by day – – maybe a hope worth having
can find a small space in which to grow. My name is Mattias and I’m
the founder of Campfire Stories. Campfire Stories is a community supported platform. That means the only way we
can keep making these films is if we get support from the
people who watch the films. So please consider joining us
as a Patreon supporter. Thank you so much.