Fair Trade America interviewed key people at three companies that have committed to Fair Trade. Their responses should be enough to convince you how important it is to buy / coffee, chocolate, & tea that has the FairTrade seal (and the Organic seal, of course). Vague terms such as ‘fairly traded’ or ’sustainably grown’ are often used to cover up products that aren’t … [Read more...] about If It’s Not Fair Trade, It’s Not Fair to Small Producers
Peter's blog
Thoughts on sustainability, regeneration, social justice, and more….
Is your food contaminated with glyphosate?
Recent tests show that much of the food sold in stores, fast-food places, and high-end restaurants is contaminated with glyphosate, a toxic pesticide that is the principal ingredient in RoundUp. The best way to avoid it is to buy food that is raised organically. Glyphosate is known to be toxic, carcinogenic, and an endocrine disruptor. It has been classified as a toxic … [Read more...] about Is your food contaminated with glyphosate?
Building Demolition
Those concerned about the dust that will be released by the upcoming implosion have good reason for concern. According to studies, including Nuruddeen Usman's 'An Evaluation of Buildings Destruction Technique and Its Menace', published in the EU, this method of demolition creates many serious health risks that can take years to show up. [PDF] It goes on to say that modern … [Read more...] about Building Demolition
Individual Actions to Reduce Climate Impact
While we believe that the most important causes of global warming & the resulting climate change are systemic, it's also true that individual actions can have a significant impact. If you want to see ways you can reduce your own carbon footprint, see George Washington University's public health program which has created an online information center for 'Realistic Ways … [Read more...] about Individual Actions to Reduce Climate Impact
Thanks again, Greta
Once again, Greta Thunberg speaks out to government 'leaders' who are guilty of failing to act on global warming and climate change. Read her April 23 address to Parliament. Their failure to act parallels the failure of politicians in most 'developed' countries. (Just look at the idiotic responses to the 'Green New Deal' proposal in the US!) I am impressed by the … [Read more...] about Thanks again, Greta
Ag policy is health policy
Long a strong advocate for healthier food and small growers, Health Care Without Harm points out in a recent fact sheet what should be obvious: ag policy is also health policy (& climate policy). By supporting agribusiness and unsustainable crops, the US government makes a choice to undermine small growers that follow true organic principles, thus rebuilding the … [Read more...] about Ag policy is health policy
Thank you, Greta!
I think we all owe a debt of thanks to Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old from Sweden, for her speech calling out 'leaders' for their failure to lead! Some excerpts from her remarks (at COP-24 in Katowice, Poland): We can no longer save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.So we have not come here to beg the world leaders to care for … [Read more...] about Thank you, Greta!
Peter’s blog: A Tale of Two Disasters — and U.S. Response
On 9-11-2001, terrorists (mostly Saudi) attacked the World Trade Center in New York, killing 2996 people. The US allowed Saudis to leave the US after the attack and has maintained good relations with Saudi Arabia — while pouring trillions of dollars into war on Afghanistan and the Iraq. Those wars killed least half a million people, with estimates ranging as high as 1.2 … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog: A Tale of Two Disasters — and U.S. Response
Do you buy chocolate produced by slaves?
Those who buy chocolate (or coffee or tea or bananas or …) that does not follow international FairTrade standards are saving money by buying the products of exploitation. Demand that shops carry FairTrade and eliminate products based on exploiting others! Here's an update on the cacao/chocolate business. Hershey, Nestle, & M&M Mars are all part of the problem, … [Read more...] about Do you buy chocolate produced by slaves?
Peter’s blog: ‘Slavery & Prisons today’
Thanks to the 13th Amendment, a person convicted of a crime can be forced to work as punishment. And thanks to widespread racism in society, law enforcement, the courts, and the prison system, Black people are vastly more likely to wind up in prison. (See the two highly-recommended films listed at the bottom of this post.) In addition to working in the laundry or serving … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog: ‘Slavery & Prisons today’