3. Misconceptions: Local, Green, Organic & Fair Trade

Written by Homegrown | 21 June 2009
Posted in Let's Talk Turkey - Misconceptions

Well for starters, consider the following, where X means ‘does not’, in an effort to clear-up some misconceptions regarding Local, Green, Organic and Fair Trade!

Local X necessarily equal Green
Green X necessarily equal Fair Trade
Fair Trade X necessarily equal Organic
Organic X necessarily equal Local

Few products or production practises find themselves in the center of the Venn diagram below, sharing all three characteristics. However, there is some overlap. Consider this:

1. Local does not necessarily mean Locally-produced. If goods are made here, then yes. However, it can also mean the business is locally owned, but that they bring in products from elsewhere, or perhaps, combine outsourced with locally-made goods.
2. Local product does not mean Green product. Although it can, if the product is green in nature.
3. Locally-produced does not mean Green production. Although, it can, if the goods are produced in an earth-friendly fashion. However, it does often imply a greater chance of being green. Carbon footprint caused by transportation is likely significantly reduced. Packaging and manufacturing of same may also be reduced since goods are handled less and don’t travel as far.
4. Local does not mean Organic.
5. Local is not necessarily better than Organic, depending on your priorities.
6. Organic is not necessarily better than Local, depending on your priorities.
7. Organic
8. does
imply Green. However, Certified Organic producers are held to a set of long-term standards that Green producers need not abide by.
9. Green product does not mean Green production. Although, the likelihood that groups creating green products keep the earth in mind while doing so is greater.
10. Green does not mean Fair Trade.
11. Fair Trade does not mean Green or Organic. Although often green or organic practices are used when producing Fair Trade products.

Confused yet? It’s a lot to take it in… and we haven’t even gotten into the full definition of these words yet. We’ll get to that later. But for now…

Choosing between Fair Trade, Green, Organic and Locally-Sustaining practises and products is not always easy or straight-forward. Nor are conclusions always the same for all decision-makers faced with the same options.

However, choosing Fair Trade, Green, Organic and/ or Locally-Sustaining practises or products is an opportunity we encounter every day, multiple times per day.

And it is something we should consider consciously each time we drive somewhere; dress and groom ourselves; eat, drink, buy, sell, order, toss, or build something; or commit to something or someone.

The choice is yours… each time. Determine your priorities. Stop. Think. Consider. Choose wisely!