Better World Economics

Fair Trade guarantees fair prices and wages to producers in underdeveloped poor countries and consequently raises living standards. Fair Trade benefits families and communities, as fair wages pay for essential services, in education and health, for example.

Fair trade is one aspect of the Trade Justice movement, but it is recognized that poor countries are disproportionately affected by other factors which are inextricably linked, - factors such as climate change and the current global finance crisis.

Climate Change – Tar Sands

At BP and Shell’s AGMs in April and May, some shareholders will challenge their controversial “tar sands” projects.

The process to recover tar from deposits of clay, sand and water in order to produce petrol and diesel fuel comes with many environmental and social problems. Tar sands are among the world’s dirtiest fuels: in production, they produce three times the greenhouse gases of conventional oil: they are associated with massive de-forestation, air and water pollution, and the creation of huge “tailings lakes” to store toxic waste: and indigenous communities and wildlife in Canada are adversely affected. Also, some communities believe a high number of cancers are caused by the open-cast method of recovery.

The resolution to oppose these oil companies (which are not the only ones involved, but the biggest) will be supported by 120 and 150 investors respectively. They include faith groups, charities, trades unions, local authorities and individuals.

How You Could Help

• Shareholders in these or any other company can use their vote. An investor briefing can be downloaded from www.fairpensions.org.uk/tarsands/resolutions

• Non-shareholders can ask their pension providers whether their fund invests in BP or Shell and if so, to support the resolution. The relevant website is www.fairpensions.org.uk/tarsands/action

• Email a major shareholder to ask support  by going to www.fairpensions.org/tarsands/action2

Vote Global

The UK, in recent years, has led the fight against global poverty, been a key supporter of the Millennium Development Goals, and in the forefront among G8 governments for commitment to debt relief.

Public spending cuts may add weight to arguments to reduce international aid and development. Please ask candidates in the run-up to the General Election  how their party intends to tackle

• the reduction of carbon emissions, and
• global poverty.

To get a briefing, you can look at www.voteglobal.co.uk or www.churcheselection.org.uk

Palestinian Dates

Following prolonged protest action about cover-up labels on Palestinian dates, giving the source as the “West Bank”, they are now described as sourced from Israel.

Choose Products with the FAIRTRADE mark