When we talk about development and the issues facing our planet, it’s very easy to get tied up in knots over what governments, corporations or multi-laterals are doing (or not doing). It’s easy to blame, criticize and point fingers. It’s easy to become apathetic, uninspired and despondent.

In this series, I want to highlight a few things that we can all do in our daily lives to make the world a better place.

Let’s start with some very simple things.

Buy Fair Trade:

Do you eat chocolate or bananas? Do you drink coffee or wine?

The farmers who grow these crops are often take advantage of and given a pittance for what they grow. They become trapped in a cycle of poverty. Meanwhile, distributors and shops share vast profits.

By buying Fair Trade products, you are guaranteed that the farmers who grow the crops you’re eating get a fair price for their crops. You are ensuring that their livelihoods are sustainable.  

So –

Look out for the Fair Trade symbol (above). Buy Fair Trade.  Ask that your local shops stock them. Advise others to do the same. Visit cafes where Fair Trade coffee is sold. Tell your friends. Display the Fair Trade symbol. Advocate for poorer farmers.

Shop Ethically.

If you bought your outfit for less than the price of a meal, it was probably made by children in sweatshops. If your furniture was made in Malaysia, shipping it to you probably damaged the environment. If your food is ridiculously cheap, farmers were probably not paid fairly.

So-

Use consumer power wisely. Be savvy when shopping. Make conscious decisions based not just on value for money, but also on morality. Encourage others to do the same.

Protect the environment.

Farmers in the developing world are suffering hugely due to climate change.  When the rainy season is shorter, the crops don’t grow and families have nothing to eat. People are starving directly because of the damage we are doing to the planet.

So-

Sell your car and buy a bike. Or, choose to walk, cycle or take the bus rather than drive. Reduce the amount of flights you take. Choose an airline that offsets your air miles. Turn off the lights.  Reduce your energy use. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Turn down your thermostat.

Volunteer.

I’ve already written extensively about overseas volunteering. I think it’s an immoral deflection of limited resources away from the real need in developing communities. That said, we all have skills and talents that would be of use to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOS).

So-

Volunteer to be a campaigner. Work in their offices here, rather than in developing countries. Use your talents for the greater good.

Fundraise.

Many NGOs are doing great work, which simply would not happen without the support of ordinary people.

So-

Give a portion of your income to help those less well off than you. Be sure that you give it to a responsible charity.

Campaign.

Many people simply don’t know about global development problems.

So-

Get involved in these issues. Raise your own awareness. Write articles for you local papers. Attend a rally. Tell your friends. Become an active voice of behalf of those less well off than you. Join a group of like-minded people.

Vote.

Developing countries suffer most when rich governments neglect them. You elect your government so use your vote wisely.

So-

Raise this as a political issue with your elected representatives. Make it clear that your vote depends on a pro-Developing economies stance. Use your vote wisely.

As I said, it’s easy to be apathetic and despondent. Your actions are but a drop in the ocean. But, if everyone did it, can you imagine the changes we’d see.

I don’t expect that everyone will, nor do I expect to see huge changes. But, I hope that by reading this article, you might be inspired to choose a few of my suggestions and then apply them to your life. Furthermore, you might like to share it with others.

Have I missed anything? What else can we do to make our world a better place? I’d love to hear your suggestions.