Coffee: Eco-Friendly Cup O' Joe

Just like with Chocolate or Meat you can send a message to producers and manufacturers with your coffee habits. You can choose to support a producer that is environmentally and socially conscientious or you can choose to support a producer that brings you coffee at any cost, cheap in terms of money but expensive in terms of lives, and the earth. It is not always an obvious or easy choice yet the consequences can be far reaching. How can you green up your morning cup?

Were you aware that most coffee is grown on small, family farms? It is grown in over fifty different countries, which include some of the poorest areas on the globe. For 17 to 20 million families the coffee bean is the sole source of income. Most of these farmers see it as being all about growing the most coffee and making the most income, and indeed it would seem that way. These families are not necessarily well educated and the coffee market enables them to have a better life for themselves and their children, with better living conditions, better education and better medical care. The costs can be devastating because many are not educated nor are they prepared to compete in a global market as competitive as this commodity is.

In the past large areas of rain forest were razed to make more room for the growth of coffee. In doing this the farmers reasoned that they would be able to establish larger fields and create more income. Just like any type of agricultural excess the results were devastating. Huge ecosystems were interrupted, as well as land becoming basically barren.

The Sustainable Agriculture Network stepped in to this scenario with a set of guidelines for sustainable farming. When the farmers follow the guidelines they can reduce costs, have better working conditions for their laborers, conserve wildlife habitat and natural resources, control pollution, and improve the quality of the harvest. All are very good things. In including these practices the coffee farmers can also earn the Rainforest Alliance Certified Seal of Approval. This seal on their coffee means that it was produced with the utmost care and managed with a high level of social and environmental responsibility.

The seal also allows the farmers to enter a premium market and get higher prices for their goods. It establishes them as a quality business with potential customers, and ensures good international relations with plenty of support. This encourages them to be more aware of good farming practices and still support their families well.

1. Buy Local. Can you do that? Sure! Check the yellow pages for a roaster that is close to you. This cuts the transportation costs of the coffee quite a bit. You will be amazed at how much better freshly roasted coffee tastes and you will be supporting the local economy. I called around, explained what I wanted in a coffee-smooth, rich flavor with no hint of bitterness. Dark and almost chocolaty. The roaster I accepted created my dream coffee and I pay about the same for it as I would pay for it at a coffee shop or even buying a brand like Millstone at the grocers.

2. Buy Local 2 . Starbucks is very good at putting small, local coffee houses out of business. The total amount of their coffee that is organic/fair trade is very small. By supporting locally owned businesses you support the local economy and insure a variety of places to shop. If we continue to support only the national chains like wal-mart and starbucks then we will lose diversity and regional originality.

3. Brew It Cold. Especially if you like iced coffee try Cold Water Coffee. You will save the energy heating it up and I have heard that the cold water process makes the flavor more intense.

4. Slow Down. Rather than ordering a to go cup, order your coffee in a mug and savor the flavor while you let your body relax. You will cut down on trash, do good things for your stress level, and give yourself the gift of time. Better yet, bring your own mug from home and you won't have to worry if they are using eco-friendly dishwasher detergent.

5. Try Thanksgiving. There is a small group of farmers from Uganda that have banded together to create a cooperative called Mirembe Kawomera, Delicious Peace. A delicious peace it is because the unique thing about these farmers is that they are Muslim, Christian, and Jewish. This is being distributed in the United States by Thanksgiving Coffee Company.

By making socially responsible and ecologically friendly choices we change our world for the better...one cup at a time.