FAIRTRADE APPEAL ON THE EVE OF CANCUN CLIMATE TALKS
01.12.2010 - As the effects of climate change become more evident, many Fairtrade farmers and workers in Africa, Asia and Latin America are trying to find coping mechanisms to face these challenges. In addition to what Fairtrade offers to producers (e.g. fair prices, Fairtrade premium, strong environmental and social standards, etc.), the Fairtrade system is developing a producer support program to help them adapt to the consequences of climate change and mitigate their own environmental impact. However, without a solid climate change agreement amongst world leaders, those farmers and workers will increasingly continue to be affected by climate change challenges.
Fairtrade appeals to world leaders to ensure that intentions are translated into action at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16), which started on Monday 29 November in Cancun, Mexico, and will close on Friday 10 December.
Fairtrade urges leaders to:
- look beyond their national interests to achieve tangible goals that address climate change for the common good of mankind;
- commit to a responsible agreement that protects our environment and does not compromise the sustainable development of future generations;
- and devote more funds for climate change adaption in developing countries.
While the conference is taking place, Fairtrade producers from Africa, Asia and Latin America will be in Cancun to participate in the Development and Climate Days Conference. This side event aims to support researchers from developing countries to share their knowledge and experiences on climate change.
Here a few quotes from Fairtrade producers about the impact climate change has on their land, families and communities:
"Rains now fall heavily for a short period and our dry season is much longer. The coffee plants are badly affected - flowering is stopping. Last year alone we lost about 40% of production", Willington Wamayeye, Managing Director of Gumutindo Coffee Coop, Uganda
"We have planted trees and reduced the amount of pesticides by 80% in the last 10 years. We've used Fairtrade premium to buy environmentally friendly ovens to dry our coffee. These are powered by coffee skins and macademia nut shells, which mean we no longer need to cut up to 50 acres of forest every year", Gerardo Arias Camacho, Coffee Farmer of the COOCAFE Coop, Costa Rica
"We used to have much more rainfall than we are having now, that's one big change, and to me this area is hotter than 20 years ago. Because of the shortened rains you have to go for early maturing varieties and now people are trying to select these. That's why some loval varieties of pumpkins and cassava that need a lot of rain, even varieties of beans, have disappeared", Baluku Yofesi, Executive Director of the Karughe Farmers Partnership, Uganda
To learn more on Fairtrade's work on climate change, please read the Fairtrade Foundation's research Egalite', Fraternite', Sustainabilite' (580Kb).
