Michael Gidney's Letter

Dear kids,

Ever since you were born, I’ve wondered what sort of world you would inherit when you grew up. You and I have shared so many moments marvelling at the world: its natural wonders, beautiful environment and endless possibilities. But we’ve also shared our frustration at the deep-rooted unfairness and destruction around us – not least, the climate crisis.

It’s profoundly unjust that the people who are the least responsible for causing climate change are the worst affected. People like the hardworking farmers from low-income countries, who we rely on for many of the foods we love – like coffee, cocoa and bananas. As you know, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many of them through my career at Fairtrade, and have heard them speak passionately about how climate change undermines their ability to feed their families, grow crops, farm more sustainably and flourish into the future. As a parent and a trade justice campaigner, I echo their fears.

In the coming years I hope governments keep their promises so that farmers have their voices heard, their expertise acknowledged, and their financial needs met. Only then can they fully unleash their power and knowledge to protect their communities, our shared environment and our global food supplies. This matters for all of us. That’s why I’m taking part in #LettersToTomorrow: together, I hope we’ll choose the world we want: a world where climate justice isn’t just a distant dream, but a reality.

Michael Gidney, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation