Chocolate and Coffee

Both crops naturally grow in the shade. But to meet increasing demand, farmers favor sun-loving varieties, resulting in clear cutting and heavy pesticide use. Cacao, which is used to make chocolate, is one of the world's most heavily sprayed crops, according to United Kingdom's Soil Association. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation tells us that if half of North America's 15 million college students chose organic, shade-grown coffee, they would prevent 3,885 tons of chemical fertilizers and 660 tons of pesticides from poisoning the Earth.

The organic standard DOESN'T cover fair trade. To ensure just compensation for farmers, look for both the Fair Trade Certified label and organic seal on chocolate an coffee. Don't get down about not changing your whole diet instantaneously. One step at a time is certainly progress, and much less stressful. Just learn about something, correct your life accordingly, and move on. Don't let it get you down. Every little bit help a WHOLE lot.