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Yesterday I took part in a Green Salon discussion about whether people or the planet should be more important for consumers. The monthly networking event brings together people who work in the green sector in one way or another, and last night's debate was thought up and chaired by Chris Arnold, executive creative director of FEEL.
Green Salon had carried out a survey that showed that 65 per cent of consumers, if presented with two 'identical' products -- one that would benefit the planet and one that would benefit people -- they would pick the people.
Aside from Chris Arnold, four of us got our opinions aired first: James Bruges, author of The Big Earth Book talked about the science of climate change; Dave Tucker from War on Want spoke for the poor people around the world and Jessica Hatfield, CEO of Save The Amazon Rainforest Organisation, and I took the planet's side.
But there was more to it than that. After my chat with Sebastian Parsons from Dr. Hauschka, I was especially convinced that people and planet must go hand in hand. This is perfectly demonstrated by Fairtrade and organic certifications -- the consumer symbol for 'people' and 'planet' respectively.
Besides paying farmers a premium, Fairtrade standards also require the farmers to farm in a sustainable way -- which for example means that only certain chemicals are allowed and biodiversity is encouraged. Certified organic products are of course better for the environment generally speaking, but they're better for the farmers' health, too. On top of that, farmers are normally paid a premium as well.
But as a consumer, if I'm presented with the choice of, say, an organic and a Fairtrade product, I would generally have to go for the organic one. It's not because I don't favour Fairtrade -- I really am a big fan. It's because we people can't live without a planet. For me that means going for the organic option, as it will benefit more people in the long run.
What do you SmartPlanet readers think? Hit the comments box below and let us know.
15 July 2008 03:29pm
There are no people without the planet. Maybe just maybe the Corporate world could take less profit. Maybe just maybe the third world needs better government.
15 July 2008 08:23pm
There are too many people consuming too much resource. and whats more too many of the people are enormously fat. I have had enough of this "people are important" crap, it is time for another War!
29 July 2008 02:22am
Either choice would have been good. I would imagine a product certified safe for people would be safe for our precious planet to. Always go organic (certified) --- better for us and the planet - its a no brainer really. If cost is an objection - the benefits far
out weigh a few extra pennies.
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