27th Feb 2023
I first became involved in Fairtrade about 15 years ago when I joined our local Fairtrade campaign group to achieve Fairtrade Borough status for our local area (we did it).
Back then we spoke to various business owners, retail staff and the general public about Fairtrade. Awareness was a little patchy, even though quite a few high street shops were selling products that carried the Fairtrade mark. However, when we held stalls at public events it was encouraging to hear that children and young people were very knowledgeable about Fairtrade, what it meant and why it was important. On those occasions the young people would educate the the older generations on the issue and we stood back, impressed by their understanding and enthusiasm.
Around the same time, I also met a Fairtrade banana farmer called Gideon, from Saint Vincent. He told me what a difference the living wage pay through Fairtrade had meant to him, his family and fellow farmers. I still think of Gideon sometimes and wonder how things are for him or the proceeding generation of farmers now. Fairtrade is as necessary as ever and the climate crisis is an even bigger concern than before, making produce like bananas, coffee and cocoa harder to grow. And today those well-informed young people at our Fairtrade stall may have children of their own and will be hoping for a healthy and secure future for them.
So, the theme of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight seems particularly pertinent as it highlights the harmful effect that the climate crisis has on food production and the livelihoods of farmers in the places worst affected by climate change and financial hardships.
Unjustly, those affected by climate change the most are often those who contribute to it the least. Additionally, some of the foods we love and consume every day are under threat because of the climate crisis. Less fertile land, extreme weather and disease are causing failing harvests and putting farmers under even more pressure in what is an already incredibly difficult situation. In the current financial crisis many people can relate to the worry and stress of providing for the basic needs of themselves and their families due to circumstances out of their control. For many farmers in low-income communities overseas they also must pay for healthcare and their children’s education on top of other living costs.
Social and environmental issues don’t exist in isolation and it makes sense that they are tackled together. As well as farmers getting a fair price for their produce and a premium for them to invest, Fairtrade provides advice and training on sustainable farming techniques and climate resilience via producer networks around the world. Farmers also work to eco-friendly Fairtrade standards which involves protecting biodiversity, reducing carbon and working towards a ban on deforestation.
Emilia Debrah’s story is a great example of this in action
Emilia Debrah (pictured above - photo credit Chris Terry) is a Fairtrade cocoa farmer in Ghana. Emilia has a flair for farming but despite this, her income from cocoa before 2018 was so low that she fell into debt and struggled badly for a while. What turned her finances around, she says, is the support she got from the Fairtrade co-op she belongs to and training as part of a project where she learned to farm her four hectares of land more productively.
She’s now almost self-sufficient thanks to her newly created ‘micro-forest’ and can sell the vegetables she intercrops with cocoa locally. The savings she’s made on pesticides help protect Emilia, and her six grandchildren she cares for, against rising living costs.
That’s why climate justice and Fairtrade go hand-in-hand and why here at Make Hay and Green Hosting we continue to support Fairtrade in our shopping choices.
The Fairtrade Foundation suggests other ways we can support farmers like Emilia, the future of our food and the natural world:
Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 campaign
Fairtrade and Climate Justice
2nd Feb 2023
This is an exciting first in the Origin Story series as we welcome our first Green Hosting friend to share theirs. Green Hosting friends are businesses, organisations and individuals who share our values and are a part of our network but not necessarily a client. We love to champion anyone who works to bring positive change for people and the natural world, so our next guest is a perfect fit.
Claire Lyons wears many hats in the world of sustainability. Her story here, however, is told with such a deep care for one particular aspect of her work, and that is at the Woodland Burial Company. This is a fascinating subject and something we don't give enough time to consider. So, here is Claire to tell us more...
I am part of quite a few environmentally focused groups both professionally and socially. I worked on my ‘eco living’ very publicly for over five years running The Frugal Family. Over that time we covered pretty much every issue, hint and tip, on ways to live more sustainably. My over sharing also moved outwards to helping small businesses to work in more sustainable ways (happy to share that some time too!).
What I never once talked about until recently, was how to have a sustainable funeral, or the impact of dying on the planet (Hint: It’s not good). They are not topics that people want to talk about, or think about. At all. With a background as a lecturer in personal development I was happy to talk about most subjects, had covered all taboos. I had also taught on lots of grief management courses and perhaps had a thicker skin on the topic?
What’s fascinating is that so, so many people are striving for a sustainable life, and yet never once consider their sustainable death. Or they do consider it, and the information and options out there are pitifully poor.
There seems no huge global action towards the shocking environmental impact of the funeral industry. Previously untouchable, only now are the industry themselves trying to make some headway, spurred on by the demands of being net zero. That’s a much longer article, but limited choices is a big factor in the decisions people are making.
When my own family suffered an unexpected tragedy in 2019, this issue became something I could no longer ignore.
While researching our options for an environmentally friendly burial, the only things I could find were ‘natural burial’ sites. Natural is an interesting word, it evokes happy thoughts about the planet. But a tsunami is natural and yet I still don’t want to be caught up in one.
Many of these sites don’t allow markers, seating or pre-booking graves. All things that are so valuable in processing and learning to live with grief. It was essential to me that I could be buried with my son whenever my time comes.
It was a crash course in research as time to make decisions is not unlimited. Reading the extensive research was fascinating, and one question inevitably led me to another. I had no idea that cremated ashes were harmful to soil, that plants grow away from them and in confined spaces often die.
It seems our basic needs as human beings can be ignored if we are told it’s better for the planet. On a mission to discover the answer somewhere in between these two extremes, I kept returning to the Woodland Burial Company.
I was lucky in that I already knew of the WBC, I had met them years before to write a blog post. I liked that they were in an established woodland that didn’t just line up burials in a field and plant a tiny sapling. It’s a 45 minute drive, but still absolutely worth the effort every time we go.
I became a bit obsessed with the toxicity of traditional burial and cremation, and more annoying with every question and suggestion I made to the owner of the burial ground. So annoying in fact, that I was offered to role of Manager – to get the message out that I was so distressed about.
Since starting that role, I have learnt so much and feel humbled to support other families at such a difficult time. The lack of a serious and swift response to the climate crisis generally is concerning, that this specific area, one we cannot do without and is in fact only going to increase, is still languishing in the ‘too tricky’ pile is simply foolish. Birth and death are the only truly shared experiences human beings have. We can’t avoid it, we need to face into it.
I have learned so much, and even though I considered myself well versed in sustainability issues I would do things differently now, lots of small changes can make significant improvements in how nature can deal with death. Just choosing a linen shroud instead of your own clothing helps. Such a simple thing.
There are real solutions, there is real research.
WBC has grown further, now able to work outside of the confines of its geography. Their scientifically researched RTN Soil can now be bought in Kits and used at home. I have also grown my self-employed work, now working alongside several excellent businesses in this new niche I find myself in.
Via my website www.clairelyons.co.uk I discuss grief, death and sustainability. You can also find me at the #EthicalHour twitter chat most Monday’s and ranting on Linked In.
If we want to make change, sometimes we have to take an issue by the horns and drag it into people’s consciousness. Sorry, not sorry.
Find Claire online
Website: clairelyons.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/claireandgrief
Facebook: facebook.com/claireandgrief
Twitter: twitter.com/claireandgrief
18th Jan 2023
Hi, I’m Priya, founder of upcycled accessories and kidswear brand, Pri Pri. All designs use pre loved saris and are handmade by a charity in India that helps to upskill and empower underprivileged women with training in tailoring.
The concept was born out of my love for Indian clothing, those luxurious fabrics and rich colours have always appealed to me. One of my first sewing memories is from when I was 10 years old and Patti, my Indian grandma, taught me how to use a sewing machine. It led to my first little business venture, using zips from the big sacks of rice at home to make pencil cases and raise money for charity. It was my grandmother who also first introduced me to the zero waste concept. Every scrap of fabric would somehow be put to use.
Zero waste/sustainability is what I guess we call it now, but coming from a generation and a country where throwaway fashion wasn’t really considered an option, she made sure I learnt the importance of these values too.
This passion started a very long time ago but it’s something that has stayed with me through my life. I didn’t study textiles, I didn’t have a career in design, but I’ve just always loved making and repurposing stuff. When my niece was born, I found myself drawn back to the treasure chest of my mum's beautiful old saris and had the idea of making little party dresses for our new family member. The colourful fabrics were so vibrant, and the silk so soft, that they were ideal for remaking into kids’ partywear. After a few encouraging comments, I added some dresses to the online marketplace Etsy, and it became my side hustle.
In 2021, the business moved from being a side hustle to my primary job. I decided to outsource the making of my products and I found a wonderful charity to work with, back in my grandmother’s home of Mumbai, to help make up my designs. The organisation trains underprivileged women in tailoring, upskilling them and enabling them to gain employment at the end of their training. Research shows education and empowerment in women leads to living a healthier, happier life and can break the cycle of poverty, and it has been great to hear how many of the women who work on Pri Pri designs, feel more confident after their training and employment.
Find Priya online at:
Website: pripri.co.uk
Twitter: @PriPriCoUk
Facebook: facebook.com/PriPri.co.uk
Pintrest: pinterest.co.uk/PriPriStore
Instagram: instagram.com/pripri.co.uk
11th Jan 2023
17th - 23rd January sees Big Energy Saving Week here in the UK. Usually for a business like ours, this would be a great opportunity to talk about effective ways to save energy and as a result help save the planet.
This year the world feels like a very different place (again) and, honestly, at a time when so many people don't have any choice but to switch off their heating, ovens, kettles (the list goes on) it frankly feels insensitive for us to join in. I'm not saying we shouldn't be saving energy, we should. If we are in a position to choose and stay safe and healthy, let's cut out the energy waste in our lives, the climate crisis is co-existing alongside the financial crisis. Right now, there are plenty of articles, videos and resources online suggesting ways we can do this.
Instead I've been researching organisations that may be helpful for people in the UK who might be struggling to pay their bills or buy food right now or may need someone to talk to about their mental health, which could be exacerbated by such anxieties.
I hope these are useful. Please feel free to share this list on your socials and add your own. Let me know if there are any essential support organisations I've missed and I can add them here...
Citizens Advice - Guides on how to get additional help with energy bills
Groundwork's Green Doctors - Can provide support with ways to stay warm and safe and access other services and initiatives
National Energy Action - National fuel poverty charity, providing help for people who cannot afford to heat their homes
Ofgem - Offer a range of advice around high energy bills
National Debtline - Their Cost of Living Hub contains a lot of information and advice, including other organisations that may be able to help
Energy Savings Trust - Article about how high energy bills are affecting people's mental health, along with some useful links.
Trussell Trust - For information about foodbanks and other ways to get help if you're struggling to afford essentials.
Mind - The mental health charity's page on money and mental health, with useful links to get support.
For urgent mental health support - Contact the Samaritans for free on 116 123 or the NHS Urgent Mental Health Helplines or text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19
You may also be interested to visit the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute website. Founded by Martin Lewis, this organisation is working to breat the link between mental ill health and financial difficulties.
If you're reading this, I genuinely hope that you don't need any of the information above. But if you do, please know there is no shame in letting someone know you are struggling and that you need help. These situations can happen to just about any of us.
Take care.
14th Dec 2022
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There is no extra cost or work for you. All you need to do is add the affiliate link to your website, newsletters or social media and of course, the more you share it, the more people will have the opportunity to see and use it.
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