198: Coffee Watch: A Mission for Change with Etelle Higonnet

In this episode, we talk to Etelle Higonnet. She is  the Founder & Director of Coffee Watch. A graduate of Yale Law School, she's an attorney and environmental and human rights activist. She previously worked at Mighty Earth, National Wildlife Federation, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, as well as two war crimes courts.

She was knighted as a Chevalier de l'ordre national du Mérite in her home country of France for her pioneering efforts to curb deforestation in high-risk commodities with an emphasis on cocoa, rubber, palm oil, cattle, and soy industries. She has worked in over 30 countries, is widely published, speaks 9 languages, and is now dedicated to trying to end deforestation and slavery in the global coffee industry

Timestamps to relevant points within the episode, use this format:

[00:00] -Introduction to Etelle Higonnet

[02:52] -The Birth of Coffee Watch

[04:22] -The Dark Side of Coffee Production

[08:27] -Child Labor in Coffee Farming

[15:04] -Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

[18:52] -The Role of Law in Corporate Accountability

[23:56] -Greenwashing and Consumer Power

[34:37] -Impact of Coffee Watch and Future Goals

[47:18] - Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Links from the episodes:

How Your Coffee Can Make A Difference with RAW Coffee

Where can people find our guest?

Coffee Watch

Etelle Higonnet

Key Takeaways:

• Etelle's journey into human rights began in Guatemala as a teenager.
• Coffee Watch aims to combat human rights and environmental abuses in the coffee industry.
• Most coffee consumed globally is linked to child labor and deforestation.
• Parents of child laborers want their children in school but face economic obstacles.
• Living income for farmers can eliminate child labor and poverty in coffee production.
• Certifications often do not guarantee a living wage for farmers.
• Consumer demand can drive companies to adopt better practices.
• Greenwashing is prevalent in the coffee industry, making it hard to identify ethical products.
• Law enforcement is crucial for addressing illegal practices in the coffee industry.
• The future of coffee production can be sustainable with consumer awareness and action.