Ethical Consumerism: Fig Leaf or Feasible

Off to a local town hall to hear representatives of the big ethical organisations debate the pro's and con's of ethical consumerism. On the left side of the table were The Co-operative Group, and Ethical Consumer Magazine. On the other side were Leo Hickman and the Fairtrade Foundation. A battle of the titans. Actually an agreement of comrades in the struggle. The Ethical Consumer magazine researcher talked about how to make an ethical purchase. Consider the different aspects: environmental, human rights, animal rights, organic, fair trade and the background of the company that made the product. She encouraged people to "buycott" not boycott; i.e. show your support with your purchasing power. Next up: Leo Hickman, the ethical living columnist from the Guardian; who wrote a book about his experience of living ethically with his wife and newborn child for a year. He said that he was astonished at the growing interest in ethical living; in the last 2 or 3 years these have become mainstream concerns. He gets hundreds of emails from people who share his dilemmas such as whether to eat a fair-trade or an organic apple.
