Best of sustainability on the web

Farming in rural China

It has been all very busy here lately with a couple of contracts happening. I have however found time to read some interesting articles online and I want to share some of them with you. I hope you enjoy them. The west isn't ready for the rise of China This is a really interesting article on the rise of China written by Kevin Rudd (Australia's former PM). I guess with some extra time on his hands he is able to put pen to paper and write intelligent papers like these! How fair trade supports children's rights to a safer environment This article looks at how fair trade can improve a farmer's (and his family's) standard of living, with better access to healthy land and water. Climate reality bites: Gen-Xers don't care much about global warming Sadly, it seems Gen-Xers don't think climate change is worth worrying about, even less-so than was the case in 2009. And, even worse, those with children seem to care less than those without.... weird. And … [Read more...]

Chocolate. Not so fair.

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I have to admit, I love chocolate. I was brought up in a family of chocolate-lovers. The richer the better. It was a popular dessert when we ate at home (though we were limited to a mere two squares while growing up). If we were eating out and a dessert menu didn't have a chocolate item on the menu then it had the potential to lead to a major 'disaster', much sighing and under the breath complaining. Along with a vow never to return to the restaurant. For my family, any kind of chocolate was acceptable - it didn't matter - white, milk or dairy, though each person certainly had their preferences (and voiced them!). From memory, we bought Cadbury most often as it was yummy and affordable for a family of 6 on a budget. We usually waited for it to be on sale and stocked up. I am sure that at least one member of my family still buys chocolate this way. For me, my naturopath allows me to have chocolate, but only of the 85% cocoa variety. The sugar and the dairy in regular chocolate … [Read more...]