Dec 15, 2019
For Sourcing Matter ep. 94 we welcome Han de Groot, CEO of
Rainforest Alliance. The ‘Rainforest Alliance Certified Seal’
is awarded to farms, forests, and businesses that meet rigorous
environmental and social standards. Rainforest Alliance
operates in 60 countries all over the globe with focus on
certifying in five program areas: 1) Sustainable forestry
certification, 2) Sustainable agriculture certification, 3) Crop
standards and criteria, 4) Rainforest Alliance Certified Seal, 5)
Sustainable tourism.
In our 45 minute discussion we learn just how consumers can make
accurate and just buy decisions in an increasingly noisy
world. Hear Han’s empowerment message to us all: as
environmentalists – we use our dollars to vote for the planet
through the food we buy. As more trusted scientific
resources explain it’ll much comes down to the agriculture systems
we employ to feed ourselves moving forward, being an
environmentalist 3-times daily is a strong rallying cry which has
yet to be fully exercise in diverse food categories. The time seems
now.
Han has dedicated his career to sustainable development. After
studying economics at the University of Wageningen, he worked for
more than 12 years at Oxfam Novib, eventually leading the
organization’s work in Eastern and Southern Africa. In 1998 Han
joined the Dutch government. From 2005 to 2010, he held various
positions at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality,
including Deputy Director for Nature. Joining as co-host in episode
94 is Mike Bellamente. Mike invested many years helming Gary
Hirshberg’s environmental accountability organization. As
former Executive Director at Climate Counts Mike gained traction
and the attention of huge brands, and over 20K high-impact
followers. Bellamente lead this third-party certifier of
Green/Sustainable corporate practice into the mainstream – via the
wallets and ideology of consumers who care. Mike now uses his
developing company ‘Naked Bullfrog’ to empower more consumer
engagement throughout their local & regional communities.
It’s been proven; “Natural Climate Solutions” are our cleanest,
most pragmatic, and most cost effective way forward.
Investing in what Jeremy Grantham has coined as “Natural Capital” –
the regenerative soils, tree health, clean oceans, and biodiversity
through a paradigm shift in land management is where mankind can be
a catalyst in climate stability. Bringing that to the market
through something as intimate to us as the food we eat is where Han
and team play. As more of us adopt this power to vote with
the dollars we spend, I have great hope for what we can all do
through food to invest in healthy body and planet.