Today is blog action day 2008, a day where bloggers of the world unite in posting on a common topic to raise awareness of a prescribed theme. Last years theme was the Environment and this year bloggers are creating a discussion around Poverty.
Poverty is usually framed in the context of money, or the lack thereof, to access the basic necessities for a dignified life. The impoverished are those who are unable to fulfil their most basic human needs, the so-called lower levels on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. But although money might be the means of acquiring these needs, lack of money is not poverty in itself:
"Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water." [ironically, the world bank]
Poverty is a wide-ranging and complex issue, a good starting point for exploring poverty further - it's causes and effects - is this excellent wiki article. It's easy in our busy day-to-day lives to put the issue of poverty on the "too hard" pile and just forget about it and continue living our comfortable, cocooned lives.
It is necessary not only to be aware of the ecological causes of poverty (e.g impact of climate change, deforestation, overgrazing, drought, biofuel impact on food security etc.) but also the economic causes of poverty (debt based banking systems, unfair world terms of trade, protectionist tariffs, unequal land distribution)
I thought I'd focus this post on a few ideas for sharing our wealth and helping others get a leg up in an eco-conscious kind of way.
Join a Community Exchange System
Dispel the need for Rands altogether and use your Talents to meet the needs of the community. The Cape Town Talent Exchange has been growing steadily since its inception in Dec 2002 and has over 3400 active members. The local online system is used by over 96 exchanges around the world, in countries from Australia to Vanuatu. Our world banking system is in turmoil for good reason - infinite economic growth is not possible with one planet of limited environmental resources & services. Bankers, however, don't seem to get that. Debt as granted by our modern banking system enslaves at both ends of the economic spectrum.
Start a community, co-operative bank
Admittedly not something we can all pull out of a hat, but if there are any merchant bankers with a heart reading this (I'm convinced you exist) why not invest your stockpile of dough in a venture that creates true wealth. Start a local rand-based co-operative, mutual bank that invests in community projects, renewable energy and affordable banking. The co-operative constitution could ensure the application of moral conscience which limited companies seem to lack. Micro-finance as applied by Grameen Bank could be used to uplift the rural poor. These banks exist in the first world, and the third world - why not in SA. Is investment for moderate returns, but being able to sleep well at night (no arms, tobacco, alcohol, mining deals), that far fetched? If you thought you made a killing last year, perhaps you did?
Buy fairtrade
Pay the workers fairly and don't exploit them. A crazy world when we consider this is not the usual way of doing business. Fairtrade SA has recently setup an office, and have big plans, so I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more great fairtrade products on our shelves soon. Go on a Fairtrade in Tourism holiday and give back to the community.
Buy the Big Issue
It's now out every twenty one days. Which is nice 'cos you don't have to wait so long anymore for a great read. 50% of the cover price goes direct to the seller. The design is always varied, the articles increasingly green, Donald Paul is against nuclear energy, the homeless soccer world cup is cool, Lauren Beukes. Need any more reasons?
Support ethical business
A lot of small or medium businesses, the owner-manager kind, have a conscience and pour money into not only environmental and animal rights issues but also provide employment in disadvanged, poor communities. Seek out these businesses and support them.
Buy local
Go to authentic markets and buy from the producer of the goods or guys making items on the side of the road. Support South African businesses and source locally manufactured. Dates from Israel or Uppington? Jeans from China or Cape Town? It takes more effort reading labels but can make shopping more meaningful!
Support community food garden NGO's
Like Soil for Life and Abalimi Bezekhaya who are doing upliftment and greening work in Khayelitsha and the Cape Flats (and Constantia). Food and Tree's for Africa have national programs. Teach a man to fish... or, rather, garden.
Support green educators
Earthchild Project and seed need your support greening schools and learners minds.
Volunteer time and plant a tree in a needy community
Trees offer a community beauty and utility. Studies have shown a link between increased greenery and reduced crime and agressiveness.
Support local NGO's coming up with innovative ideas to alleviate poverty
Greater Good SA. Heart of Healing. Midlands Meander Education Project. There are many more...
Create a job
You could think of cleaning your shed, putting up shelves, trimming the lawn or washing the car as grudging chores around the house or they could be an opportunity to buy yourself some time and give someone an income simultaneously. See Men at the side of the Road.
Pay your employees more than the market rate
I hope my boss is reading this (he recently bought a Prius, so he may be ;-). Instead of a third car or an overseas holiday think of your employees and what difference an investment in them could make. Extra training, a green gift, more take home pay that they could spend locally and so the circle goes round...
Read more thoughts and ideas on Blog Action Day
88 ways to take action against poverty now
fight poverty in cape town
30 ways to battle poverty with technology
urban sprout, like many participants in blog action day 2008, will be donating all its earnings from today towards fighting poverty
