Coffee, anyone? I’ve been trying to keep stocked with beans certified as bird-friendly, but they’re tough to find. Often, I simply have to pick an organic brand at my grocery story and hope that suffices.
The problem with many of the major brands is that the coffee plants are grown in monocultures on large plantations, often requiring pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer.
The more traditional, earth-friendly way to grow coffee is in the shade of forests, in areas rich with birds and native plants. Organic means that the plants are grown sans the nasty chemicals, but it may not mean the growers have gone all the way to ensure bird habitats, worker rights and a fair price. So clearly there’s a lot more to consider.
I’ve found a local source for bird-friendly certified coffee at the Reading Terminal Market. I wound up passing by one day when I hadn’t expected to and decided to stock up. My pride level shot up. How eco! I didn’t even have to make a special trip.
Once the clerk filled several little bags of it, she looked up. “Do you need a bag?”
Gulp. I realized I hadn’t brought one.
“Yes, please,” I said, chagrined.
She gave me a withering look. “That’s not very bird-friendly,” she said.
For more information, here’s a link to a column I wrote not long ago about coffee.
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center has trademarked the "Bird Friendly" seal and has a rigorous program. The Rainforest Alliance certification focuses on sustainability, wildlife and the workers. Audubon has adopted that for its coffees as well.
this is one of the problems with the Green, organic, local movement. no matter how hard you try to do the right thing your are made to feel that you are not good enough— cwallis- Actually, cwallis, it is only a "problem" if one cares about it, as does Ms. Bauers and as do I; and in that case, it isn't a problem, it is a lesson and a reminder. If one doesn't care, then one sees it as a "problem", acts affronted at the environmental protection efforts when one is put down, and badmouths the effort. So, which one are YOU?— marty
Comment removed.- If it is so important...let's stop drinking coffe and let the "greeners" supply the bags....and while we are at it...Lets totally ban the manufacture of cigarettes, lawn fertilizer (promote natural foilige) and our dependence on oil......oh you mean nobody wants to give up thier big cars or congress does not want to create (so far 40 years into this problem and still no bill) an energy bill and we don't want to pay for the building of windmills, shale oil facilities, nuclear power plants, solar farms......Wake up....when we don't have to have lush greem lawns, big cars, hugh homes, and every electiric game, gadget and set that man can create,.....then and only then will this issue be taken seriously....— nuggett
I don't care so I have no problem. Don't blame consumers for not being "green" blame the manufacturers.- The whole green movement is just another excuse to advance Obamunism— hawk
- Okay, I'm probably one of the most concientious recyclers around and I use Philly Car Share, etc. But there is a limit to greenness. I think it's silly to worry about how something is grown, when it then has to be shipped thousands (or tens of thousands) of miles, roasted, ground, and sold at large markups in small quantities? Especially when that product has zero nutritional value? Wanna save the birds and the environment? Just stop drinking coffee. Problem solved. Coffee is an indulgence. Obviously, I'm not against drinking coffee--I drink plenty every day (from Sumatra!)--I just think that worrying about one part of its greenness while ignoring all of the other serious non-green aspects of it is silly.— Tatts
- How's this organic coffee taste?— NickEeee
- Comment removed.
- I am a locolvore to an extent I only buy local beer and I only buy PA soft taco shells (mex-americana) If I have an option I buy local.— cwallis
GreenSpace - her column about how to reduce your carbon footprint in everyday life - appears every other Monday in Health & Science.
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