There are still textile workers on this earth that struggle to fight poverty, are drastically underpaid, are treated inhumanely and are exposed to harmful chemicals - all for the sake of making a cotton shirt for a high street retailer on the other side of the world. Worse still, to sell at a discount rate to someone who has ten just like it already.  There's a reason why Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin wants us read read his Make Trade Fair blackstripped hand. This kind of silent activism, and products bearing the Fairtrade Foundation's stamp of approval, help to increase awareness amongst more affluent societies that there are still massive trade issues for developing countries. It also sheds light on those responsible for unfair trade who must be made accountable and transform their practices.

There is another voice the Fairtrade Foundation campaigns on behalf of and that's the environment. In order for communities to do business using safe and ethical methods sustainable agriculture and protection for the environment must be considered. The Fairtrade Foundation incorporates a social premium in its standards. This is payment the producer receives (in addition to the Fairtrade price) which must be invested into community development. More often than not this goes towards improving ecological practices.

A brilliant example to illustrate the power of Fairtrade is where Indian farmers have developed organic programmes to grow their cotton. They use the manure of their own cows and the oil of crushed neem tree kernels to nourish their crops and keep pests away. As a result the production of organic cotton has increased and so has the quality of soil in which it grows. Plus, we reap the benefits of natural textiles, clothing and other products made from Fairtrade and organic cotton.

Supporting goods that have been fairly traded is not only better for our planet's people (workers and end consumers) it also contributes to protecting our natural environment.

There has been a big push from our government this week to reduce the amount of food we throw away. Gordon Brown, on his way to the G8 Summit in Japan to work on alleviating the very real problem of global food scarcity, pointed out that food waste ‘is costing the average household in Britain around £8 per week.' That equates to 4.1m tonnes of perfectly good food thrown away every year. This is all unnecessary waste (and doesn't even include what we over eat which can waste both our health and world supplies).

So it's now time to reduce, reuse and recycle our food! Reduce consumption, reuse leftovers, and recycle into our composts.

Some of our food waste avoidance tips are:

• Work out what you want to cook for the week ahead before you buy your fresh food and bring home the right quantity to avoid floppy carrot syndrome


• Utilise bulk buys only if you are 100% sure you will use the whole of the product before its end date


• Shop on a full stomach... not only to avoid the strategically placed chocolate bars at the checkout but also to ensure your brain is on full alert to keep you on target for a list-only shop


• If leftovers don't appeal two days in a row; either make less, freeze it or get creative - roast beef pie filling, thai chicken soup or, my father's favourite Chilli Mistake'a (just add chilli!)


• Eat only what you need. Make only what you need. Appreciation and enjoyment of food tends to increase as the regularity of indulgences decrease.

Send us in your tips to minimize food waste and we'll add them to our list!

The world's first eco nightclub has opened in London, Kings Cross this month. Surya (Sanskrit translation for Sun God) is its name and earth conscious partying is it's game.

Novelties include a dance floor made of crystals and ceramic that people dance on to create a charge, to generate electricity which powers the club. An elbow nudging, fast-footed bunch of clubbers could provide sixty percent of the Surya's electricity supply. The club also incorporates wind turbines and solar power, which has the potential to provide energy for up to twenty local residents.

Bathrooms include air flushes, waterless urinals and low-flush toilets. Recycling is big on the agenda - glass, plastic, cans etc are granted another life beyond landfill.

Entrance is £10 and clubbers can only enter if they sign a pledge to work towards curbing climate change. Oh and cyclists and walkers enter free - yep, free admission.

Club4Climate is the eco group behind the set up of this club and super rich property developer/eco warrior Andrew Charalambous is the brains and money behind it. Andrew invested £1 million of his own money to create his eco vision based on an 'inclusive' philosophy to combating our climate issues.

A cool (pardon the super bad pun) way to reduce climate change don't you think?

How often have you seen a friend's vintage dress or one-off stone necklace and said to them ‘I love that top hon, where did you get it from?' at the same time thinking ‘I wish I'd found it first.' There's a place you can go to swap gorgeous one-off clothes and accessories without the background sound of a till bell popping or a harrying store member on your heels.

Swishing is a clothes exchange party where invitees bring along at least one item of clothing or accessory that they think someone else may be delighted to purchase. Clean, quality garments a must; vintage designer frocks and rare gemstones preferable.

Topshop have adopted the concept, running workshops at its flagship Oxford Circus store. Enthusiasts are asked to bring in three items of unwanted clothing to swap for someone else's and are also shown how to turn their junk into chic accessories.

If you're the kind of shopper who especially likes unique, bespoke pieces without a hefty price tag or you just need a good excuse to get the girls together for a natter, Swishing is ideal. It's definitely one to do with the girlfriends not the kids. For the penny saving eco-chic it's a guilty-free way to refresh your wardrobe. The party aspect of Swishing gives it an Avon / trendy-Soho-op-shop / cocktails-with-the-girls feel. The only possible downfall is you may find yourself in the very likely situation of adoring the same one off piece as your girlfriend.

For details on upcoming Swishing dates or for a guide on how to throw your own Swishing party visit www.swishing.org