Sustainable Living

I recently read at http://www.corporateknights.com/ that “When it comes to environmental and social issues, a knee-jerk defence of the status quo is no longer de rigueur at the anchor desks and editorial boards of major news channels and publications. CNN, Business Week, the Economist, and the Financial Times are running regular pieces on corporate social responsibility, the environment and climate change. “ and was glad to know that the big guns in the news industry are doing their part in environmental and social responsibility exploration.

But what about all of us, the little guys, the individuals? What are we doing to change our world? I’m afraid when I took an inventory of what I do to help our Earth, the environment and all the life on this planet, there were huge gaps in my current footprint and what I would like it to be.

So today, I take a vow to change myself. I vow to look for ways to protect and heal the Earth. I vow to introduce my ecological and ethical beliefs into my daily work and lifestyle. I vow to help disseminate information on living sustainably. But changing my self and my lifestyle won’t easy! Why, just yesterday I learned that coffee, the nectar of the gods as it were, is not a very ethical purchase.

Did you know that coffee is surpassed only by oil as the world’s second largest traded commodity? There are more than 25 million coffee growing families in over 50 countries. Their marketplace is extremely volatile, they are exploited by middlemen who take most of their profits – as little as four cents per pound can actually make it into the grower’s pocket. There is an initiative called Fair Trade that helps ensure these families, working as part of farmer owned cooperatives, are fairly compensated for their efforts and product. Another benefit is the resulting minimizing of the environmental impact by growing coffee in the shade, resulting in far less pesticide use and bird friendly plantings. Companies such as Ethical Bean (http://www.ethicalbean.com/) help ensure sustainable futures for coffee farmers. You can learn more about Fair Trade at this link http://www.fairtrade.net/

Well, then, what kinds of things might I seek out to learn about? Social Responsibility, Climate Change, Natural Living, Eco Activism and exploring Scientific Discoveries come to mind right away. I can find out how I personally can make a difference, and contribute to the good of all. Join me on my path to sustainable living. Ok….time for an ethical coffee!

Trillium

Only when the last tree is cut; only when the last river is polluted; only when the last fish is caught; only then will they realize that you cannot eat money. Cree Proverb