Fighting Climate Change with Fairtrade
This article will take approximately 2 minutes to read
Published 13 Oct 2021 in Raising Awareness
In the run-up to COP26, Fairtrade farmers and workers are calling for urgent action against climate change. Colleagues can stand beside them by buying Fairtrade products and signing the Fairtrade Foundation’s COP26 petition, urging politicians to be fair with their climate promises.
How is climate change impacting farmers?
Climate change affects us all, but farmers in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Honduras are among the most vulnerable to rising temperatures and the extreme weather, pests and disease that come with it.
These changes are already severely damaging their lives and livelihoods, compounded by an unfair trade system that means many aren’t earning enough to adapt to the rapid changes in weather they are experiencing.
What can we do to support them?
Midcounties has been working with the Fairtrade Foundation for over 25 years now – stocking over 100 Fairtrade products like bananas, coffee and flowers in our stores while promoting the benefits of buying Fairtrade.
By buying Fairtrade products, colleagues, customers and members are helping support the essential work the Fairtrade Foundation is doing to help farmers adapt to the changing climate. Plus, by paying farmers a fair wage, they can be better equipped to adapt to these changes.
Sign Fairtrade Foundation’s COP26 Petition
You can also support 1.8 million Fairtrade farmers and workers by signing their petition challenging leaders at COP26 to invest in the sustainable solutions farmers are already pioneering (read more about this below) and to be honest about their own countries’ carbon emissions.
Support Fairtrade, support climate change
As well as working to manage the impacts of climate change, Fairtrade farmers are actively finding ways to prevent further environmental damage. Through the Fairtrade Foundation, they are taught environmentally friendly farming practices and are switching to organic production where possible.
That means Fairtrade farmers don’t use chemicals like pesticides that are harmful to the environment. They use water sustainably and encourage greater biodiversity by doing things such as planting trees to provide a habitat for indigenous wildlife.
So, by buying Fairtrade you’re helping the planet and its inhabitants in many different ways.
Save the date: Fairtrade Fortnight 2022 (21 February - 6 March 2022) will once again focus on the challenges climate change brings to farmers. We’ll let you know how you can get involved nearer the time.