Can Fair Trade Stop Global Warming?

Published January 15, 2009 @ 07:48AM PT

I started thinking about this question after I saw Idea maker, Keith Rouda advocate for his Idea to Replace Free Trade with Fair Trade on the Stop Global Warming blog. Plus, global warming has been mentioned a lot lately because it is most likely contributing to the near 70 degree weather going on in San Francisco. 70 degrees. If you look at the calendar, it's January. Did I mention 70 degrees?

So, back to my question: Can Fair Trade stop global warming? One of the main tenets of Fair Trade is environmental sustainability, so while it is not the sole solution to the problem, it is offering one of many solutions to alleviate the problem of climate change. So, how is Fair Trade doing this? Let us count the ways.

In the so-called 'Green' Revolution of the 1970s, the US Agency for International Development and others gave millions of dollars to Central American farmers to replace traditional shade grown farming techniques with 'sun cultivation' to increase coffee yields. This meant an increased use of chemicals and pesticides, cutting down of trees and monocropping, which essentially led to the severe destruction of forests and the biodiversity of over 1.1 million hectares and also the extinction of songbirds [via: globalexchange.org].

To counter this destruction, the Fair Trade movement addresses the situation with the farmer's interests and their local ecosystem in mind. Small-farmers were seeing the destruction around them and knowing the value of the land, were determined to see their land survive for future generations.

Over 80% of Fair Trade Certified coffee is shade grown preserving crucial habitat for migratory birds, plants, insects and animals. In a study by Mario Bolanos Mendez, he found sixty identifiable plants, more than one hundred bird species, several reptile species and mammals in a few sample shade-grown coffee plots [via: Brewing Justice].

Over 60% of Fair Trade Certified coffee is also certified Organic requiring the farmers to use non-chemical methods of pest management. Fair Trade farmers also implement soil and conservation methods such as reforestation, terracing and composting. [via: TransFairUSA]

The work that Fair Trade does with small-scale producers is a step toward reducing out environmental footprint. As Equal Exchange points out:

[T]he sustainable farming practices of small-scale producers actually help cool the planet, protect the environment, and restore local eco-systems. Organic farming, reforestation, soil and watershed protection, and the use of stoves that convert organic waste into methane gas are just some of the ways in which small-scale farmers are keeping our food, our bodies, and our eco-systems healthy. By supporting small-scale farmers, we can bring justice to the food system and help reduce the effects of our changing climate. It’s a win-win solution that benefits us all.

Sustainability is the name of the game. More reasons behind the benefits of Fair Trade on the environment? The Fair Trade Resource Network gives you five along with stories from those in the Fair Trade movement and their work to alleviate the problem of climate change.

The Fair Trade movement explores different solutions to various problems facing us today, such as global warming. While it may not be the sole solution, Fair Trade movement proves that business and trade can put the environment and people before profit. As environmental activist Vandana Shiva once said about Fair Trade..

Fair Trade is ... the practice of what trade should really look like if it has to serve the earth, protect farmers, protect our biodiversity, and protect our cultural diversity.

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Comments (21)

I doubt it!

BUT introduction of legalized cannabis for agricultural, industrial, and ecological purposes would! AND END THE NATIONAL DEBT/ECONOMY CRISIS.

Posted by rev baker aka rev420 on 01/15/2009 @ 06:38PM PT
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It is the debt backed banking and monetary system that creates the problem. In such a system you always have to produce stuff you don't need in order to get what you do need. A barter and exchange backed banking and monetary system is economics from the ground up.. it's ecology based not debt based. I have written more on the subject here:

<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1109181/barter_biological_integrity.html">http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1109181/barter_biological_integrity.html</a>

Posted by Ron Amos on 01/15/2009 @ 10:27PM PT
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The answer is Yes and that is exactly what the World Fair Trade Organization will be promoting on World Fair Trade Day 09 MAY 09 and taking to Barack Obama's first and st G8 summit in Maddelena, Italy in July.

The US is only just coming around to the idea but in ASia Affric Latin America and in Europe the idea is much more widely accepted.

Change is happenning, good positive change that will transform consumers into investors and unsustainable business practice into something much more appropriate for the times we live in.

The US has some of the most powerful thought leaders and entrepreneurs in this territory; Paul Myers, President of the World Fair Trade Organization, Jonathan Rosenthal, founder of Equal Exchange, William Foote, CEO of Root Capital.

These are the people that Braack Obama will be talking to when he finds the time to think about sustainable trade and the impact on business on the environment.

The Rainforest produces 20% of the world's carbon emissions through logging. This can be stopped a lot easier than turning industry green.

Deforestation is a direct result of poverty. Poverty Climate Change and Financial Crisis are all the same undernaeath and Fair Trade, 100% organizational Fair Trade is the solution.

It's the only one we've got.

Posted by robin smith on 01/15/2009 @ 11:17PM PT
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another way of putting it - Can Fair Trade Stop Global Warming? YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN

Posted by robin smith on 01/15/2009 @ 11:27PM PT
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Of course fairtrade is not in itself a solution to such a big issue however by focussing on small scale producers and encouraging a fairer return for their labour; good, mixed agricultural practice incluidng shade trees, integrated pest management/organic production, mixed animal and agriicultural production ,incentives good farming practice all contribute to maintaining the environment and resists widespread opening up of land. The issue is also more that Fairtrade has to help deal with climate change - a piece of work on coffee showed us that if the temperature overall rises by 2% there are high percentage of farmers who today rely on the increased income of quality fairtrade coffee they produce who will not be able to produce quality coffee anymore. Fairtrade support, engagement with sustainable production practices and challenging environmentally wasteful practices in the sectors it is involved is vital in preventing future poverty and not losing ground already being made

Posted by Albert Tuckerf on 01/16/2009 @ 02:28AM PT
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Couldn't agree more Albert, the Fairtrade labelling initiative cannot tackle climate change. However a new organizational system, that can transform any company or organization, with a globally recognized Sustainable Fair Trade Management System, could bring about the culture shift we need to turn an unsustainable consumer culture into a sustainable investor one. We all have the incentive to change, in the near future we will also have the system.

Posted by robin smith on 01/16/2009 @ 02:48AM PT
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There is a topic on climate change and fair trade on the World Fair Trade Day 2009 website: http://www.worldfairtradeday09.org but it has only had a couple of posts so far. It would be good to have a bit more discussion if anyone feels like contributing their views there.

Posted by Bob Bauer on 01/16/2009 @ 03:32AM PT
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Hi Zarah and Change.org Blog readers.

I thought you all might be interested in an exciting Cafédirect climate change initiative. In partnership with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and several of our grower partners, we have initiated a pioneering three-year plan to identify concrete adaptation measures to the adverse effects of climate change that our partners are already experiencing, as well as sustainable ways to fund them.

Information about our AdapCC Project – Adaptation to climate change for smallholders of coffee and tea - can be found at http://www.cafedirect.co.uk/our_business/environment/climatechange

Posted by Helen Bode on 01/16/2009 @ 08:26AM PT
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That's brilliant Helen and further evidence of the transformational impact of a genuine 100% Fair trade relationship. I've met Raul de Aguila and Willington Wamameye and was in Chiapas for the tail end of hurricane Stan. The loss of crop caused by extraordinary weather, mudslides, early flowering and late rains can all be devastating. But Fair Traders are extraordinarily self determined and entrepreneurial people - they lived through the collapse of the ICA in 1989 and are no strangers to financial crisis. In fact that led to the birth of Fair Trade as we know it today. Today's crisis has the potential to deliver a whole new generation of sustainable business.

Posted by robin smith on 01/16/2009 @ 10:50AM PT
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Thanks everyone for the healthy dialogue.

I do say that Fair Trade is not the itself the solution to climate change, but it is a step in the right direction. The Fair Trade movement needs to work together with other movements and see to it that the climate change issue is discussed and see to it that we are all coming together to make a difference. It's the power of the people that can make a change by voting with our dollars (euros, pesos, pounds) and encouraging for change in trade policy.

I like what you said Albert -- "Fairtrade support, engagement with sustainable production practices and challenging environmentally wasteful practices in the sectors it is involved is vital in preventing future poverty and not losing ground already being made". We have to keep up the fight if there is progress to be made.

@Helen: Thanks for the link -- I will be sure to check out what CafeDirect is doing around this issue of climate change. It is great to see a company out there working with the farmers who are directly affected by climate change and seeing to it that people are working together to tackle the problem.

@Robin: Thanks as always. Really enjoy your input to the site and the Fair Trade movement. Looking forward to getting more info from you regarding WFTD. Will be posting about it soon enough.

@Ron: Will be checking out your article and finding out more about the issue.

Posted by Zarah Patriana on 01/16/2009 @ 11:17AM PT
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Hey pleasure to talk with someone who works across time zones. And Albert, hop you don't mind if i put you up for G9.

The way i see it is simply this. Fair Trade is the solution to climate change because it not only unites people and practices but it is also a proven model. there is plenty of evidence that demonstrates it's effectiveness. Not enough people have put their minds or backs into understanding just how powerful it is. But they are coming.

Poverty, climate Change and the financial crisis are akk manufactured. The solution will be too.

Posted by robin smith on 01/16/2009 @ 12:39PM PT
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I agree - except - My version of free trade is more down to earth and real to most Americans. I am talking about real fair trade where American Workers no longer have to race to the bottom in wages and benefits. I have been in Procurement for 25 years and what was once a trickle of jobs going to low wage countries is now ruined our economy and the middle class. Fair trade is equalizing costs, both labor, environmental.
I work in the solar industry and I am now currently outsourcing darn near everything to China. I have to call good American companies and tell them we are moving what they make to China.. The result more layoffs and more jobs gone for good in American. This is why FAIR TRADE MUST INLCUDE PROTECTING AMERICAN WORKERS! Not just the environment, you are missing the boat if that is not just as high on your list of priorities.. Those 3 million jobs in alternate energy more than 1/2 will be in China were the average wage is $2000 a year. Bring them up not tear us down.....

Posted by Dyke Cullum on 01/17/2009 @ 08:34AM PT
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Woah. Shouldn't we ask the question: "What causes global warming?"

While I like the idea of "fair trade", I will not lie to support it.

When the earth's temperature increases, the surface temperatures of other plannets increase at the same time. This is a strong indication that global warming is caused by unstoppable solar cycles, and I don't think that paying a little more to assuage my concience will change the sun.

Posted by Chuck Reynolds on 01/17/2009 @ 08:48AM PT
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Some folk don't buy man made global warming and that's okay. For those of us that do - who are living it - there is nothing more important than dealing with it. Nothing. There are very few values-driven global business networks. in fact Fair Traders provide the only system and structure that does what we want it to, is powered by entrepreneurialism and recognises the value of a worker (human) no matter where in the world that worker lives. Sustainability in terms of living wage and environmental practice comes built in. The emergence of the sustainable economy will drive innovation, create jobs and will reduce global carbon emissions. It's all people positive, it's all solution positive. it's all future positive. No matter what your climate change point of view.

Posted by robin smith on 01/17/2009 @ 11:04AM PT
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Living it, or just overly concerned about something we have no control over, perhaps. I'm in full agreement with "fair trade" being a real and positive solution for serious problems, but we risk loosing credibility when we tie it to an idea that is on it's way out. The concept of man-made global warming is waning in credibility.

Posted by Chuck Reynolds on 01/18/2009 @ 02:22AM PT
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You may feel you have no control Chuck, but you do. you are exerting your control here and now - just as you do when you buy food clothes gadgets. Maybe you don't like that idea. Personally i've got used to it - 20 years in FT with fantastic successes and, yep, failures too. My guess is that you don't doubt the seriousness of the financial crisis, my opinion is that you won't doubt the seriousness of the environmental crisis until, it too, is too late.

Posted by robin smith on 01/18/2009 @ 12:57PM PT
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Fair Trade alone won't do it!
What is needed is a straightforward tax on carbon emission--levied on every emitter based on the amount emitted. This is the truly practical way to incentivize carbon gas reduction.It would be best if based on an international agreement with all the other countries of the world to do the same.

Posted by Ted&Marie Webb on 01/18/2009 @ 03:29PM PT
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Robin, I'm on board with FT, but, don't just trust me on this, verify this: the science of global warming is seriously flawed. If we link FT to global warming, a few years from now we will be regretting it, because global warming is a dying postulate.

Posted by Chuck Reynolds on 01/18/2009 @ 06:40PM PT
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it is our planet that is dying. again this is my view - as a reader, as a resrarcher, as a facilitator of new thinking working with carbon specialists from across the spectrum, science to farmer. global business to ngo. And i do not for one moment suggest that FT, as we have come to know it, is a solution to a global environmental crisis on its own. But. Fair Trade as a precondition of every legal business relationship, as a precondition of any trade, could. it is this kind of Fair Trade that i'm thinking of. 100% organizatonal Fair Trade that brings social and environmental consequence to bear on every human transaction.

Posted by robin smith on 01/18/2009 @ 09:22PM PT
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we have cut down co2 and start using more energy efficent machines and vechiles . the world should start using solar power .

____________________________________________________

Please sign my petition for America to switch the metric system http://www.change.org/actions/view/for_america_to_switch_to_the_metric_system

Posted by Faris K on 11/08/2009 @ 04:51PM PT
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Soar, wind and wave and ecological systems that remove the need for manufactured energy. Heat from the ground and the oceans, innovative permaculture that allows more diversity in local agriculture and reduces the need for transport, cloud growth from tree planting to reduce global warming. We need to factor in the real costs of the way we live rather than just take take take from natural resources as though they are worthless. Innovate in a transparent, open and accountable way with tomorrow and quality of life in mind.

Posted by robin smith on 11/09/2009 @ 03:12AM PT
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Author

Zarah is the Operations Manager for the Global Exchange Fair Trade Online Store, a project of the international human rights organization, Global Exchange. Alongside her work with marginalized communities from all over the world to get their products into the international market, Zarah serves to educate and inform the public about a more just and sustainable trading system.