I think we can all agree that chocolate is a pretty universally loved food. It’s central to a lot of celebrations and events too – Valentine’s day, birthdays, Christmas, weddings, Easter etc. But is it sustainable? Short (and sad) answer – no. Chocolate is made from cocoa, which comes from a cocoa bean which is fermented, dried, cleaned, roasted and ground. The main reason that cocoa is problematic is that it drives deforestation in some parts of the world, which is detrimental for the planet and everyone on it. So, this week I thought I’d discuss everything that isn’t sustainable about cocoa and what we can do about it.
First of all, let’s talk about the human rights. In the UK the chocolate industry is worth about £4 billion, yet many farmers live on just $1.50 per day which puts them below the poverty line. This is also less than the average price of a chocolate bar. Female cocoa farmers are disproportionately affected by this as they generally have fewer rights than men, have a larger share of chores and child care and are less likely to own land.
The main environmental impacts come from deforestation. Cocoa can grow under forest cover, but more recently hybrid plants are being grown in full sunlight, which requires forest clearing. Clearing of forests is happening at an alarming rate because of commodities like palm oil, coffee and cocoa. For example, 80% of forests on the ivory coast have disappeared, mostly through illegal deforestation. This is detrimental for the climate crisis because trees absorb carbon and will likely play a key part in future climate mitigation. Deforestation also impacts animals that live in these forests. There are many famous photos of orangutans clinging to trees whilst their surroundings are being bulldozed down. As we remove forests, we also remove the creatures that rely on them, which reduces the biodiversity of the planet.
People also rely on these forested areas – 250 million people to be exact. Firewood, food and medicine are all accessed from forests, and some are used worldwide. For example, cortisone (used in birth control), quinine (used to treat Malaria) and tubocurarine (used to treat MS and Parkinson’s Disease) are all found in forests. They also regulate water, air and soil, as well as reduce the risk of landslides and flooding. An aspect that we often forget about forests when discussing their importance is their recreational and spiritual value. All of these important benefits and services are lost when forests are removed to make way for crops like cocoa.
So does this mean you can never eat chocolate? No, it doesn’t. Like most things I discuss on this blog, there is no perfect answer, but there are things we can do. There are important things to look for on packaging when deciding whether the chocolate you’re buying is sustainable. The Rainforest Alliance Certified seal is a good indicator that the chocolate you’re buying isn’t supporting deforestation. The Fairtrade symbol is a good indicator that a product is ethical. This ensures that farmers receive fair wages and that there is investment in local communities. So, if you look for both of these labels then that should be a good way to find a more sustainable bar of chocolate.
I hope that this was helpful! As always let me know if you have any questions and whether you want to hear any more about cocoa, or whether there are other foods you want to learn about!
Waste Makes Waste 