Fighting poverty and protecting the environment go hand-in-hand - that's why the theme of this year's World Fair Trade Day – Fair Trade and Ecology - is so important.

There are no livelihoods more threatened by climate change today than those of rural, smallholder farmers in developing countries. From unpredictable storms and hurricanes in Latin America to droughts and floods in Africa, our grower partners are regularly experiencing the devastating effects of a rapidly changing environment.

“The rains are now erratic, the season cycles are changing – cycles that we rely on for food and to earn a decent living. Freak storms are wrecking havoc; severe winds have destroyed homes, buildings, and crops. On my farm I have had tea bushes burnt by lightening – in 30 years of farming I have never seen this happen.

Rising temperatures also means we have malaria in regions that have never suffered from it before. To survive we need resources and support.

That’s why our partnership with Cafédirect is so important. No one else wanted to help us, but now together we are fighting the challenges we face… In this world we are all connected to one another. Climate change is a global problem, so we must work together to fight it.” Andrew Kobia Ethuru (pictured right), Tea farmer and Chairman of the Fairtrade Premium Committee, Michimikuru Tea Factory, one of our Kenyan tea partners.

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