Fairtrade Fortnight supporting efforts against climate crisis

Friday 11 February 2022

Fairtrade Guernsey will be holding events this year in solidarity with communities who are on the front line of the global climate crisis.

Fairtrade Fortnight is held every year to promote the charity's work. It raises awareness of where our food comes from and highlights the case for good working conditions for people in low-income countries.

There will be several events in 2022 aimed at educating people about Fairtrade Guernsey and the struggles facing farmers in poorer parts of the world. 

“This is an important Fairtrade Fortnight for us after we had to move everything online last year,” said the secretary of the Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group, Hannah Davis.

“We had a great response to our virtual events, but you can’t beat getting out into the community and engaging with people face-to-face on important issues like the climate crisis. Because this really does concern all of us. 

“Ensuring that the farmers and workers who grow our food are paid a fair price is not only the right thing to do. If they don’t have the money to adapt their farming to new climate realities, then future supply of some of our best-loved imports, such as coffee, cocoa and bananas, will be under serious threat.”

Pictured: Fairtrade Fortnight starts on Monday 21 February this year.

The looming climate crisis could disproportionately affect small-scale farmers in low-income countries. Without access to fair income schemes, poverty can be unavoidable. 

Kouame N’dr Benjamin is a Fairtrade cocoa farmer. He said: “If we carry on planting when we have always done before, when there is no rain and it is so hot, whatever we try to grow is destroyed. Then there is nothing to harvest.

"What is more, the little that we can sell isn’t paid at the price it should be paid. For example, cocoa farmers only earn 3% of the price of a chocolate bar. Being a farmer shouldn’t be a route to poverty.” 

Pictured: Fairtrade Guernsey stalwart Steve Mauger was awarded a British Medal Empire in the New Year's Honours list for his services to the Fairtrade movement.

This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight will also be used as an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of local campaigner Steve Mauger, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list.

Ms Davis from Fairtrade said: “Steve was instrumental in Guernsey securing Fairtrade status over 15 years ago and has worked tirelessly ever since to maintain Fairtrade recognition and support across the island. 

“We wanted to honour Steve’s contribution, but also that of the other people he has motivated along the way. So we are holding a celebration event at the Chamber of Commerce to take stock of everything that has been achieved and to encourage others to join us.” 

Chamber recently became a Fairtrade workplace, serving only Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar in its offices.

You can find out more about this year’s event ONLINE HERE.