CLIMATE CHANGE: OUR OBLIGATION TO LEAD THE WAY

THOUGHTS FROM ROBIN ROTH

Although it seems like a long time ago, the old year really ended with a bang for us. We had an exceptionally busy time in the warehouse and customer service departments, and we are extremely grateful for all the orders you kept sending through to us. Christmas was a time just to stop and enjoy being with the family. Lockdown limited us all but having my children around, playing some old-fashioned board games and eating well was a welcome relief. Whether my piano playing gave them any comfort is a moot point, but they were graceful and kind, and I could not wish for more.

IF EVER THERE WAS A MOMENT TO KEEP PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, THIS IS IT. THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE ON US.

And talking of children, 2021 presents us with challenges unknown for at least a generation. Some charities are talking about COVID-19 having wiped out 40 years of development progress in many emerging countries. That is quite a statement but from what we know it is not an exaggeration. We have, after all, seen first-hand that millions of people here in the UK, one of the world’s richest countries, have been thrown into additional insecurity and we have witnessed the unseemly spectacle of the government promising, then retracting, then recommitting itself to providing free school meals to hungry kids. Imagine how this will be playing out in many much poorer countries across the world. In November of this year, the UK Government hosts COP26 in Glasgow. COP stands for “Conference of the Parties” and is the place where, traditionally, the world’s nations meet to thrash out their response to the challenges presented by climate change. Some of you may remember hearing about COP21 in Paris back in 2015, where the world’s governments committed to trying to keep global temperatures from rising by no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. COP26 should have happened last year but COVID had other plans. Rearranged for November, the COP is for all the nations to declare what their own national plans are for reducing their carbon output and for committing to seeing this through. A case of who’s putting their money where their mouths are in full public view. Hosting the COP puts an additional responsibility on the UK to lead the way and the Government has made some big promises about transforming our carbon economy and building back better. Making these promises come true depends on some equally big changes: particularly in the way we produce, transport, and consume food, which is responsible for around 25 to 35% of all green-house gas emissions. If ever there was a moment to keep pressure on the Government to do the right thing, this is it. The eyes of the world are on us. Building back better is exactly what fair trade companies like Traidcraft have been promoting for years. When I think of my children, I know that what we decide now will be what they get to inherit in the future. The UK is the 6th wealthiest nation in the world, and its 1% of the world’s population is responsible for the 5th largest historical contribution to CO2 in the atmosphere. We have an obligation to lead the way.