Fair World Project Launches New Documentary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 6th 2015	CONTACT:    Ryan Zinn, 907-947-6046    Email: [email protected]    Ryan Fletcher, 202-641-0277    Email: [email protected]

PORTLAND, OR – Leading Fair Trade advocacy organization, Fair World Project (FWP), has released a new 17 min. documentary highlighting the role of industrial agriculture in climate change as well as detailing how small farmers are combating climate change through regenerative organic agriculture. Narrated by Fair World Project’s Political Director Ryan Zinn, the documentary traverses through a series of interviews with activists, farmers, and experts on organic farming, sustainability and food sovereignty. Luminaries like Dr. Vandana Shiva, Rodale Institute’s Mark “Coach” Smallwood, and Ronnie Cummins of the Organic Consumers Association expound on the benefits of agro-ecological practices in the face of climate crisis. To view the film in English or in English with Spanish subtitles, go to: http://www.fairworldproject.com/cool

“Climate change is the issue of our generation. Record-breaking heat waves, long-term drought, “100-year floods” in consecutive years, and increasingly extreme super storms are becoming the new normal. While global climate change will impact nearly everyone and everything, the greatest impact is already being felt by farmers and anyone who eats food,” said Ryan Zinn of Fair World Project. “When we think of climate change and global warming, visions of coal-fired power plants and solar panels come to mind. Policy discussions and personal action usually revolve around hybrid cars, energy-efficient homes and debates about the latest technological solutions. However, the global agriculture system is at the heart of both the problem and the solution.”

“Small-Scale Farmers Cool the Planet” provides a compelling and succinct analysis to better understand the root causes and implications of climate change, as well as a path towards turning back the climate crisis while feeding the planet. As Dr. Vandana Shiva comments in the film, “Too much of the movement to deal with climate change is based on fear. It now needs to move to cultivating hope.”

“Fair World Project is using this video to launch an international and national campaign to educate and engage global citizens and policy makers to invest in regenerative organic agriculture, support and safeguard small-scale farmers at home and abroad and regulate and restrict polluting industrial agriculture,” explains Dana Geffner, Executive Director of Fair World Project. “Addressing the climate crisis starts with transforming our food system with small-scale farmers and regenerative organic agriculture at the center.”

Produced by Fair World Project, the video is a key component to a new educational campaign led by Fair World Project to raise awareness of agro-ecology and climate change during the month of May 2015 surrounding World Fair Trade Day.

World Fair Trade Day is comprised of retail and educational events occurring in over 1,000 locations across the country. The world wide day of celebration and awareness is a unique initiative that seeks to increase visibility around Fair Trade, the social movement and economic model that seeks to empower small-scale farmers and producers by creating an alternative, equitable trade system in which all participants have fair access to markets by building long-term relationships with buyers and access to means of sustainable development. For more insight into how Fair Trade substantially improves quality of life for people around the world, and how dedicated Fair Trade brands are helping to connect conscience-driven consumers with Fair Trade producers, see: https://fairworldproject.org/get-involved/world-fair-trade-day/

Though various definitions and programs for “Fair Trade” certification exist, Fair World Project works to educate brands and consumers about the standards reflected in various certification schemes, and how to keep eco-social terms and certifications meaningful. A number of dedicated Fair Trade brands have partnered with Fair World Project to promote World Fair Trade Day, including Alaffia, Alter Eco, Canaan Fair Trade, Divine Chocolate, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Equal Exchange, Farmer Direct Co-op, Guayaki, and Maggie’s Organics.