Fair trade, the environment, organic growing and consumer shopping are all linked. However much we might like to think that there is no reason for us to be bothered about how our consumer goods are produced we now have to face that it makes an increasing difference to the world we live in – and to us.

Take climate change. It is happening at an ever increasingly fast rate, certainly a lot faster that we had become used to. We can see the effects on our weather right now. You only have to think about the last few winters and summers, especially if you are based in the UK, to see that our weather has changed a great deal in a short time.

Now, if the climate is changing what effect will that have on the agriculture of the world? Things like the cocoa tree, which is an important source of income for millions of farming families in equatorial regions, might not grow. West Africa is the largest supplier of cocoa providing for 70 per cent of global production. Take away the cocoa plant and millions of people lose their income.

The consumers, who dominate what happens in this market, would also lose out. No cocoa production means – horror of horrors – no chocolate! Just imagine a world without chocolate! You can see how upset many a consumer would be whether or not you are addicted to the stuff yourself. Fair trade information is crucial to consumers to get to know this.

This is not to play down of make light of the situation Chocoalte has a big role I the foods many of us eat. It goes into far more than just chocolate bars. It is in cakes, sweets, puddings and more.

Cocoa is only one example, of course. There is how much of our food is produced. We have all heard about Fair trade bananas but a huge amount of our food is produced from overseas. We are actually reliant on foreign production of our food supplies so the link between the security of supply and our well being is a very strong one.

You look after yourself when you look after the world’ workers. Simple as that.

By the way, a significant proportion of its cocoa production takes place in very poor circumstances. Child trafficking, poor health and safety measures, serious forms of child labour and the financing of conflicts are the problems most frequently discussed within the cocoa sector, but there are many other problems, too, like the low incomes of the cocoa farmers and their families, the labour intensive nature of production, lack of any access to credit, property rights which are unclear and ignored as well as much more.

The news that Cadburys, for instance, has taken a huge initiative to make Fair Trade an important part of their policy is a good example. They have improved the future of the growers who provide our chocolate at the same time as securing cocoa supply which is good for the company, their shareholders an the consumer.

We live in an increasingly interlinked world. Stand aloof and ignore what is going on and you risk losing much of what you have. Buy Fair trade even if it costs a little more. You will be doing the world’s workers a favour, and yourself, too.

It is a bit heavy, but you can find a lot out at the report on the Oxfam website at http://www.oxfam.org/en/policy/towards-sustainable-cocoa-chain where you can find more Fair Trade Information.