497
behavior of individuals is both potentiated and constrained by the resources made
available to them by economic, political and social structures. In this section, we
emphasize the agency of individuals and households in pursuing the interests they
have chosen based on their particular mix of ideology, knowledge, and resources.
18.2.5.1 Food Systems
In the decisions they make, individuals may try to consume foods that are produced
locally and that have required fewer energy and water inputs (reducing their footprint). They also may encourage retailers to provide such foods. In general, buyers
are limited in their ability to know the energy or water footprint of a particular food
because of the lack of related standardized data or labeling, although European
countries are starting to require this. Indeed, it is not universally true that a meal kit
or ready-to-eat food is more energy or water-intensive than food prepared from
scratch at home.
Individuals may choose to grow some of their own food in a backyard or community garden (criticality and affordability) or to grow food for exchange or sale in
a non-profit farming cooperative or a city market. Farmers and buyers may join
together in community-supported agriculture. Grocery store managers and food service operators may decide to participate in food waste reduction, reuse, repurposing, and/or recycling programs.
18.2.5.2 Water Systems
With respect to water efficiency, individuals do have somewhat more information
than they do with food. Toilets that use less water to flush are labeled as such, and the
amount of water used in showering and bathing is plain to see (reducing one’s footprint). One can decide to shower in a way that conserves water either due to environmental values or—in high-poverty communities—due to the cost of heating and
consuming water. Clothes washers and dishwashers have settings for lower water use
and lower temperature water use. Installing composting toilets and recirculating
greywater further reduces water use, but only higher-income households may have
the economic means to do this. Having a backyard garden or other porous surface
reduces the runoff to the municipal sewer system, and collecting rainwater for watering the lawn and garden reduces the demand for municipal water.
18.2.5.3 Energy Systems
Like water, with energy efficiency, individuals have somewhat more information
than they do with food. Appliances and light bulbs come with energy ratings, and the
length of time an appliance runs is evident. Thermostats control the energy used for
heating and air conditioning. Cars are labeled with energy efficiency, and individuals
18 Cities at the Nexus
behavior of individuals is both potentiated and constrained by the resources made
available to them by economic, political and social structures. In this section, we
emphasize the agency of individuals and households in pursuing the interests they
have chosen based on their particular mix of ideology, knowledge, and resources.
18.2.5.1 Food Systems
In the decisions they make, individuals may try to consume foods that are produced
locally and that have required fewer energy and water inputs (reducing their footprint). They also may encourage retailers to provide such foods. In general, buyers
are limited in their ability to know the energy or water footprint of a particular food
because of the lack of related standardized data or labeling, although European
countries are starting to require this. Indeed, it is not universally true that a meal kit
or ready-to-eat food is more energy or water-intensive than food prepared from
scratch at home.
Individuals may choose to grow some of their own food in a backyard or community garden (criticality and affordability) or to grow food for exchange or sale in
a non-profit farming cooperative or a city market. Farmers and buyers may join
together in community-supported agriculture. Grocery store managers and food service operators may decide to participate in food waste reduction, reuse, repurposing, and/or recycling programs.
18.2.5.2 Water Systems
With respect to water efficiency, individuals do have somewhat more information
than they do with food. Toilets that use less water to flush are labeled as such, and the
amount of water used in showering and bathing is plain to see (reducing one’s footprint). One can decide to shower in a way that conserves water either due to environmental values or—in high-poverty communities—due to the cost of heating and
consuming water. Clothes washers and dishwashers have settings for lower water use
and lower temperature water use. Installing composting toilets and recirculating
greywater further reduces water use, but only higher-income households may have
the economic means to do this. Having a backyard garden or other porous surface
reduces the runoff to the municipal sewer system, and collecting rainwater for watering the lawn and garden reduces the demand for municipal water.
18.2.5.3 Energy Systems
Like water, with energy efficiency, individuals have somewhat more information
than they do with food. Appliances and light bulbs come with energy ratings, and the
length of time an appliance runs is evident. Thermostats control the energy used for
heating and air conditioning. Cars are labeled with energy efficiency, and individuals
18 Cities at the Nexus