Millions of farmers, workers, their families and communities already live with the impacts of climate change, extreme weather and biodiversity loss. Their incomes are increasingly insecure along with their futures.

Higher temperatures, unpredictable weather, drought, floods, storms, crop diseases, soil depletion and deforestation threaten global future food security. Climate change is leading to a scarcity of essential resources for food cultivation such as water and fertile soil. These obstacles can be extremely difficult for individual growers to address and together with the Fairtrade Foundation they are working together to exchange their knowledge, experiences, good practice and research.

Here are some examples of what they are doing:

• Cocoa: Fairtrade offers cocoa farmers ways of growing  that are resilient to hotter climates, such as using of heat-tolerant species and mulching to conserve water and shield roots. (A mulch is a layer of natural material applied to the surface of soil). These methods improve soil quality, optimize irrigation, prevent erosion and retain moisture, ultimately resulting in healthier and more productive cocoa plantations.

• Spices: Through the Fairtrade network Spice farmers are able to share learning on sustainable growing techniques. Conservation practices like mulching and minimal digging improve soil moisture retention, minimize soil erosion and ensure spice protection. Collecting rainwater efficiently boosts crop yields and modern irrigation methods introduced by Fairtrade, improve soil texture by preserving moisture, preventing erosion, and efficiently distributing nutrients, supporting good growth of spice plants.

• Tea: Tea farmers face challenges due to limited water supply. Again Fairtrade's focus on sustainable water management is helpful. By collecting rainwater, farmers reduce energy consumption related to water pumping and transportation. This also decreases greenhouse gas emissions and ensures a stable water supply for the crop. Again, mulching is crucial in protecting tea plants from drastic temperature changes.

These examples show how by spreading good practice and learning, Fairtrade and farmers are able to adapt, mitigate the effects of the climate crisis and become more resilient.

To support them, this Fairtrade Fortnight we ask you to look out for Fairtrade products in shops and cafes. Because the more people swap to Fairtrade, the more Fairtrade farmers can invest in taking on the climate crisis that's threatening their future right now.

Find out more here: https://www.fairtrade.net/en/why-fairtrade/why-we-do-it/climate-and-the-environment.html