“It is a civilizational wake-up call. A powerful message—spoken in the language of fires, floods, droughts, and extinctions—telling us that we need an entirely new economic model and a new way of sharing this planet.”
― Naomi Klein, This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
As the world’s governments, scientists, farmers, industry representatives, and activists get ready for the next round of UN climate talks in Paris this December, hundreds of declarations, statements, proposals, and treaties are being drafted to address the dangerous situation in which humans have gotten ourselves and our planet. There are many proposals out there but two pathways are clear: First, we must divest from the fossil fuel industry in all its facets (mining, drilling, burning, etc.), and instead invest in renewable energy sources. And secondly, we must break away from industrial agriculture, and in its place invest in small scale, organic, regenerative farmers. Ultimately, any path toward a climate change solution is going to require that we work together to rebuild and reshape our economy. It is more than time to move away from our current system which encourages and rewards corporate greed and control and work to create a new, solidarity economy, of co-operatives and socially responsible businesses, that places people and the planet above profit.
Equal Exchange is proud to launch our new Climate Justice Initiative, focusing on this two-fold approach: Soil not Oil. Our farmer partners are doing their part. Read what Equal Exchange is doing and how you can join us to help our partners mitigate, adapt, and build resiliency all while taking steps to help combat the greatest challenge we may face in our lifetimes and those of future generations.
September 30, 2015