Raising the profile of Morocco's talented artisans and putting money in their pocket, this fantastic project also has unsung environmental benefits as hundreds of pounds of rubber has been diverted from the city's already overburdened landfills.
The wonderful thing about living in the Middle East is that we have so many holidays each year. But we like to celebrate the earth-friendly way, so check out our suggestions for good places to buy sustainable gifts. We know most of our readers are unlikely to buy into the mad consumer rush that Christmas […]
Made by artisans who receive fair wages while upcycling metal products, this bike chain menorah is sustainable for people and the environment. In our recent survey of sustainably designed Hannukah menorahs, we featured menorahs (and other light fixtures) made locally in Israel. Not all Jews have the luxury of being in an area where Judaica […]
With just over two weeks left till Ramadan the Islamic month of fasting, Muslims are being urged to go fairtrade For the typical Muslim family, the last couple of days before Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is a mad dash to get everything sorted. Mums and dads will be finding time to do those […]
Karin goes on a 2-night stay at Kasbah du Toubkal, an eco-lodge in the foothills of North Africa’s highest peak. Soul-shifting is how I’d describe my two night stay at the Kasbah du Toubkal in the high Atlas mountains. From the gut-wrenching heat of Marrakesh, within an hour and a half we were transported to […]
Before modern times, the Berbers or Amazighs (indigenous people of Morocco) of this area would collect undigested argan pits from the waste of goats which climb the trees to eat their fruit. The pits were then ground and pressed to make the nutty oil used in cooking and cosmetics.
Come sun or more sun, Sabeen Ahmed intends to keep growing the Middle East’s first fair trade store. Along with other vendors, Sabeen Ahmed set up her little eco-booth for the first time at Masdar City’s Street Fair and Organic Market last Friday. The first to introduce Fair Trade to the Middle East, she normally […]
Being a natural perfumer allows me creativity and freedom and brings me much pleasure on a daily basis. But even more so - being able to share my passion with people who appreciate natural perfumes, are aware of the sensory world and find as much meaning in perfume as one would in literature, theatre, a piece of art or a melody.
Does that box of luscious chocolates bear the taint of slavery? I eat an ounce of dark chocolate daily, for its antioxidant properties. And frankly, because I love chocolate. These chilly winter nights, my family asks me for hot chocolate milk, and I’m happy to simmer some up for them. But I go to a […]
Bigger isn’t always better. Canaan Fair Trade helps small-scale Palestinian farmers survive and thrive. With the modernization of agriculture, farming has become an industry instead of a small-scale, community effort. All over the world, small-scale farmers who have retained traditional (and many times organic) methods of agriculture have been pushed out by larger, industrial farms. […]
Want a reference book to living ethically? Want to know the truth about the costs of globalisation and profit-driven business practices on our health and society? Want to know what you can do to bring about change? This is the book for you. Unlike the other books by Leo Hickman that I have reviewed (The […]
The “jean capital of the world” exacts a dark environmental and public health price – too steep for wholesome gift-giving. When the last Hanukkah candle is extinguished, we will shift our attention to Christmas. Since the wise men laid down their wares at baby Jesus’ feet in Bethlehem, Christians (and atheists and agnostics and many […]
Not all environmental organizations and projects have tunnel vision – some focus on social responsibility as well. It’s unfortunate that environmental and social responsibility don’t automatically go hand in hand. What green changes would be possible without effecting society? And since when does anything involving society or people not effect the environment? But most organizations […]
In Islam, fair-trade is more than just a fashion statement, it’s a deeply-ingrained value Many people wouldn’t normally associate Islam with fair-trade and ethical fashion but that is all set to change as a growing number of Muslim companies rediscover Islam’s fair-trade message. Whilst fair-trade fashion would generally conjure up images of well-dressed hippies, there […]
Beduin coffee in Israel. Consumption is on the rise, and in demand is the sustainable, fair trade, organic variety.