Nice to know that you're a green 'deep down' No, seriously...I understand what you said about living in Jakarta, or other Indonesian cities for that matter. I wouldn't know how to begin to live a green life...it's so unfortunate, but I wish we can all start something...through this blog community that doesn't have borders. I don't know... I'd like to think of a movement we can do, starting with the bloggers...Indonesian bloggers (including expats of course ) Don't know what yet.

I really appreciate your disclosure about being a Fair Trade supporter. That means a lot to me, even from afar. Thank your for your link to Merdeka Coffee, I wouldn't have known otherwise...this kind of good thing isn't well publisized in Indonesian Media, you see...I covered an organic and fair trade Indonesian Coffee in my blog before:
http://saya--myphilosophy.blogsp...ade- coffee.html

There are some others where you can find at the site of IFAT--International Fair Trade Associations. They're members of this organization, and I was so happy to find them in Indonesia and to work together with a few of them now. The things they told me, they get very little help from the government (no surprise, right?), and they have a hard time to promote and to advertise in Indonesia. Isn't that sad? I'd like to help them as much as I can...for sure I help promote them here in France.

Anyways...sorry for the long comment Hope we can keep contact, cheers.
Maya | Homepage | "March 11, 2006, 6:41 pm" | #

Jakartass, since when have you been a fair trader? I'd like to hear your arguments for fair trade for the case of INdonesia ( I will look at Maya of course, as well). What makes you think free trade is not the answer for this country?
mr snag | "March 11, 2006, 8:08 pm" | #

Mr Snag.

I think it's more of a case of you proving that 'free' trade is the answer. To my mind, it's a system manifestly failing to provide even basic needs for all ~ you know, things like food and water, housing and education. Not forgetting a fair day's pay for a fair day's work..

There is no need for Maya or myself to have to justify our viewpoints or, indeed, our actions as we're not ripping anyone off ~ knowingly anyway..

And Maya, I repeat my request. If you have any fair trading contacts here with a website, I'll give them a link.
Jakartass | Homepage | "March 11, 2006, 11:16 pm" | #

I am myself a great fan of the Merdeka Coffee. They do a great job and exceptionaly good coffee (got about 15 bags of their freashly roasted kopi at home atm). I'm happy to see that someone finaly tries to promote a top quality Indonesian coffee produced having fair trade in mind. I really hope this brand is going to get wide international recognition, especially because it's a product made in Indonesia. Not only a beans that are usualy sold for ridiculously low prices to giant coffee crooks, but all product that can be exported and local farmers are being paid fair amount of money for their work. I recommend Merdeka Coffee to everyone.
Marek Bialoglowy | Homepage | "March 12, 2006, 4:06 pm" | #

true. but come on have a go. can u find me one example of how fair trade has made a significant difference to standard of living here or in another country? I'm willing to consider fair trade but can u tell me how merdeka coffee fits this trading system. Did I miss something? Are the farmers getting paid a fair amount for their bean? are they not using child labour to roast and cart it? is it organic?? what makes it fair trade??
mr snag | "March 12, 2006, 6:16 pm" | #

OK Mr Snag.

Bear with me ~ I've spent all Sunday researching and you've now got two, maybe inadequate, answers to your queries.

They have been fueled by a very intense craving for nicotine.

Aduh!
Jakartass | Homepage | "March 12, 2006, 6:25 pm" | #

thanks very much for your effort. Ill ponder it later. would you yield to an organic cigar??
mr snag | "March 12, 2006, 7:49 pm" | #

Mr Snag.
I'd prefer substances from war zones.
Jakartass | Homepage | "March 12, 2006, 9:35 pm" | #

I will be waiting with interest for this one. Being of a "Right of Center" bent myself but with a fair tinge of "Green" I would be more than interested in "workable" solutions not yet more "touch feely after daddy paid for university" programs
Oigal | Homepage | "March 13, 2006, 11:08 am" | #

"touch feely after daddy paid for university"

Eh? Daddy paid for university? Not in my day lad ~ I had to scrimp and scrape my way through.

Do you want to hear my tales of working in a mortuary - at night? Or about life beside a conveyor belt, or about cleaning ovens or ....?

After a student life like that I think I've earned my 'touch feely' ~ sounds good to me.
Jakartass | Homepage | "March 13, 2006, 4:20 pm" | #

Jakartass thanks for the link. And excellent posts about Fair Trade and organic produce.

I think Greens around the world are happy to see that finally, it makes economic sense to be Green as well, with all the environmentally efficient technologies being promoted. As petrol prices rise in California, the sales of hybrids are climbing steadily.
Thalassa | Homepage | "March 14, 2006, 3:18 am" | #

Hi Jakartass,

Not meant to be personal by any means, if you took it that way I apologise. My point is I would interested in the sustainable, practical approaches. After many years working throughout SE Asia, I have seen any number of "fads" come through only to fizzle out or create more dramas in the long term (its fine to insist that all employees are paid an international standard wage, AKA the UN, But what happens if you can only employ 10% of the local population. How do they cope with the resultant inflation at the markets.

Often it appears programs are more to make the donors feel good than create a long term, sustainable change. You will have to trust me, I am green ..but think green and commercial is often the best long term option.
Oigal | Homepage | "March 14, 2006, 8:11 am" | #