--Fair Trade: meaning that farmers are paid a solid wage that allows them to pay more attention to the quality of the product opposed to quickly producing and picking the coffee bean at the cost of the effect on the soil and on the freshness of the bean.
--Shade Grown: this is one of the lesser popular topics of discussions in the environmental movement but it is very important when growing crops, especially coffee beans. In many areas, tropical forests are being torn down to make room for coffee beans. Shade grown means that the beans are grown among and alongside trees so that there allows for a natural canopy for the birds that lost their habitat after the deforestation. Also, when birds are attracted to the coffee-growing area then they are a natural pesticide. The presence of birds eliminate a lot of the bugs that usually break down the coffee plant and would usually require a pesticide or other chemicals to protect the plant.
--Organic: No use of chemical pesticides, which can have some very great impacts on our health! Pesticides and other additives increase the amount of free radicals in our bodies which can cause digestive problems, increased risk of heart disease or even cancer.
I think the land use in the areas needs to be very strictly regulated and monitored. We are slowly destroying the forests and the soils in these tropical areas and stealing the habitats from many animals. Either we place minimum requirements on the growth styles of where we import coffee beans, or we educate these areas and promote better land use planning that will increase sustainability in the area.
As far as being a coffee-drinking consumer we need to be aware of the far reaching effects of the products we buy and the difference that purchasing more eco-friendly products can make!
In the unfourtunate world of free trade "liberalization" farmers not participating in the fair trade market are essentially forced or coerced to engage in actions detrimental to the environment and our health. The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) attach strict standards that force open many markets in developing countries and also attach stipulations to loan money. These stipulations often times put pressure on farmers to produce more than sustainably possible. In the end, it is unfourtunately not our government that is going to aid the fair trade movement because that goes against radical free trade liberalization. I agree, that we as consumers must make choices in our purchases that reflect our values and support the free trade market.
ReplyDeleteTrue story. There will always be that "race to the botttom" of who can produce their crops the cheapest, regardless of environmental impact, in this competitive international market. Until there are wide spread regulations on coffee bean production this problem will continue. And if anyone is interested in more information, these are some great resources:
ReplyDeletehttp://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Coffee/default.cfm
http://www.eartheasy.com/eat_shadegrown_coffee.htm
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/36961.aspx
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/6781
http://www.cooperativecoffees.com/resources/papers/organic.html
I entirely agree, and have been frequenting the Easy Chair coffee shop at the math emporium, since they proudly represent some of the few coffee shops that support organic coffee farms. I'm willing to pay a little more to support a good cause, and something beneficial to our environment, but your blog reminded me about some of the doubts I have when it comes to organic products. Green Labeling has been a major marketing tool, particularly in the past few years. While I'm tempted to always go organic, I can't help but feel a little cynical or doubtful that these products may not truly be green, or organic. How much do you trust your local grocery store to speak the truth about their environmental injustices? Or coffee shop for that matter?
ReplyDelete---Kirsten Dobson
This is such a huge issue in the world today, and I am very glad you brought it up because many people do not realize or think about such issues when buying a cup of coffee. Think about how many Starbucks you see in any city--this just shows how much coffee people consume. It is a touchy issue because if all farmers were to use the practices you mentioned, they could never meet the current demand for coffee beans. The sad fact is that as long as they can make money, many farm owners do not care about the negative impacts of their farming practices.
ReplyDeleteThis does not go only for coffee. This is an issue that surrounds all the foods grown in the entire world. Without pesticides would there be enough for everyone? But with them are we doing just as much damage? I actually watched this program recently about banana farms somewhere in Central America that was really disturbing. It was a documentary made by an organic farmer trying to get the word out about the horrible practices of non-organic farmers. There was a scene in a village right next to a banana plantation that was particularly shocking. These people's houses literally backed up to a banana field on the farm. They showed a plane flying over the fields spraying some kind of pesticide all over the plants, and because of their close proximity, all over these people's houses and schools. They interviewed some people and the kids were saying how they had to cancel school when the farm sprayed and they couldn't go outside and play because their eyes and throats burned so bad. I was awe-struck. This was just one example of the injustices occurring in those areas. I agree with Morgan that our choice as consumers is the best way to support fair and healthy farming practices.
I agree that more regulations should be put in place to protect farmers and farmland in developing countries however the way in which our global system is set up is structured to benefit the wealthy elite. I agree with Morgan that the IMF and World Bank put unfair trade restrictions on developing countries and individual farmers in order to increase their own profits. They are accountable only to their stock holders.
ReplyDeleteThough the only way to address the current system is to completely restructure it there are ways in which we can make small gains. By making informed decisions about the products we are purchasing. Directing retailers to sell more fair and direct trade products. It is interesting to note that the majority of Starbucks coffee is actually fair trade.
Lauren, you make a great point that the consumer definitely should put a bit more thought into the product that they are buying. A large campaign run by Starbucks which now boasts fair trade coffee is "Beware a cheaper cup of coffee, it comes with a price." This is of course addressing the fact that some companies have to charge more since the practices they are encouraging from farmers are pricier and most of the time these companies are paying the farmers about three times more than the average coffee companies. Companies that have now joined the fair trade movement such as Starbucks and Caribou pay the farmer about $1.20 per pound of coffee where the coffee companies practicing free trade only pay their farmers anywhere from 20-40 cents. Although fair trade is better for coffee farmers and the environment than free trade, an even better alternative is direct trade.
ReplyDeleteKristen mentioned Easy Chair which is located by the empo in an earlier post. Not only are the practices of the farmers organic that the easy chair owners buy from, but they also participate in direct trade. This means that coffee roasters buy straight from the growers, cutting out both the traditional middleman buyers and sellers and also the organizations that control certifications. Also, through Direct trade the coffee roasters get to know the farmers and the procedures they use personally and therefore are capable of providing better working conditions for the farmers and better practices that benefit the environment.