If there ever was a time for mankind as a whole to take concerted efforts in conserving our environment, that time is now. Scientists are constantly churning out facts on the adverse effects of global warming and the warnings are clear where the environment is concerned, we share a common destiny regardless of location in the world. We can all help in conserving our environment by use of eco- friendly products. While substitute, and sometimes less expensive, products are available, perhaps the ultimate question to ask is what impact your current purchase has on not only our environment today but also in the future. Where products are from developing countries, it is important to find out if they are fair trade products which have been produced with sustainability in mind.

One of the greatest criticisms leveled against First World multinationals in the past was that they used child and sweat-shop labor to produce products for consumption in the west. While the producer made profits, the employee had nothing to show for his or her efforts. Child laborers miss out on school and this ultimately impacts negatively on their future. Fortunately, remarkable progress has been made in the fight against use of sweat-shop labor and especially child labor around the world.

Environmental conservation is another matter of grave concern. While we might insist on going green, how do we know that the products we are purchasing are truly environmentally-friendly? Yes, they could be made from natural products and could be recyclable. Yet we need to be sure that in the countries where the goods originated, the safety of the environment is not being compromised. That is where fair trade helps. Working together, producers in developing countries and fair trade organizations bear the responsibility of ensuring that environmental stewardship is maintained. This ensures that what is produced today does not negatively impact future generations. The culture of reusing and recycling materials is therefore developed.

Adequate compensation is another important consideration in fair trade. Where producers are not adequately compensated, their standards of living are negatively affected and this has a direct impact on their health and education. Yet, through fair trade, it is possible for the world to practice greater economic justice.

Fair trade also provides an opportunity for the world to address the problem of gender discrimination in the workplace. This is a serious problem in some developing countries where women sometimes earn less than men for the same type of work. Producing organizations are required to adhere to international standards on fair wages for male and female and to ensure that all manner of discrimination whether by gender, color or religion are avoided. Ultimately, fair trade aims to strengthen the producing community and, by empowering it with financial and technical help, prepare it to operate independently. Producers acquire advanced management and marketing skills which in the future will enable build on existing markets and also access new ones. Moreover, the skills gained by one producer are easily passed on to other producers.

Ellie Lewis recently purchased a couple of fair trade products for her husband and daughter. Her daughter loved the eco friendly products she found online.

For more information on fair trade products go to
http://www.handmadeexpressions.net/ .

Author Bio: Ellie Lewis recently purchased a couple of fair trade products for her husband and daughter. Her daughter loved the eco friendly products she found online.

Category: Business
Keywords: fair trade products,eco-friendly products