Most of us think of coffee as a comforting ritual or a morning jumpstart. But behind your daily cup of Joe may be a very different reality—one that includes deforestation, toxic pesticides, child labor, and even slavery.
In this powerful episode, Dana DiPrima sits down with Etelle Higonnet, founder of Coffee Watch and longtime human rights and environmental investigator, to unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes in the global coffee industry.
Together, they explore why coffee—despite its friendly image—is one of the most destructive commodities on Earth, how certification labels often fail to protect workers and ecosystems, and what you can do (without giving up your coffee) to demand better.
What you'll learn in this episode:
- Why coffee is the #6 driver of deforestation worldwide
- How monoculture and pesticide use threaten ecosystems and worker health
- What’s really behind “fair trade” and other certifications—and why they fall short
- How Coffee Watch is using investigations and strategic litigation to fight back
- What simple actions you can take to drink more ethically
Whether you’re a casual sipper or a serious brewhead, this episode will make you see your coffee differently—and might even change how you drink it.
🌐 Learn more about Coffee Watch: https://coffeewatch.org/
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🎙️ The OBIE Team
Dana DiPrima, host and producer
Sonia Dhillon, co-producer & editor
Russell Chapa, sound engineer, original music
One Bite is Everything is a proud part of Heritage Radio Network, home to the most influential voices in food.
⏱️ Timestamps to Key Content
00:00 – Cold open: What’s really behind your coffee
02:10 – Meet Etelle Higonnet: from Greenpeace to Coffee Watch
07:12 – The surprising link between coffee and deforestation
12:30 – Shade-grown vs. monoculture: what’s the difference?
16:00 – Why coffee is soaked in highly hazardous pesticides
21:45 – What decaf drinkers really need to know
25:10 – Certifications decoded: what the labels don’t tell you
33:20 – The ghost farms, human trafficking, and loopholes behind "ethical" coffee
38:50 – What Coffee Watch is doing differently
45:15 – Laws, petitions, and pressure: what’s actually working
49:30 – One action you can take with your coffee tomorrow
52:10 – Becoming an OBIE Insider...
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