20 Child Labor Red Flags

While US companies and Asian society catch most of the blame, child labor is a global issue in every sense. The list below offers up just a few of the product categories - and sources - that have been accused of exploiting or abusing children. Of course, it's not a complete list and just because you see "Made in Bangladesh" on the label, it doesn't mean your shirt was weaved by tiny exploited hands. But you might want to look a little closer when you purchase these items:

1. Bananas in Ecuador
2. Cotton in Egypt and Benin
3. Cut flowers in Colombia
4. Oranges in Brazil
5. Cocoa in the Ivory Coast
6. Tea in Argentina and Bangladesh
7. Fruits and vegetables in the U.S.
8. Carpets from India, Pakistan, Egypt
9. Clothing sewn in Bangladesh
10. Footwear made in India and the Philippines
11. Soccer balls sewn in Pakistan
12. Glass and bricks made in India
13. Fireworks made in China, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, and Peru
14. Surgical instruments made in Pakistan
15. Gold in Colombia
16. Charcoal in Brazil and El Salvador
17. Chrome in Zimbabwe
18. Diamonds in Cote d’Ivoire
19. Emeralds in Colombia
20. Coal in Mongolia

From the Child Labor Public Education Project

TODAY'S TURN: Put users back on the streets

THE ISSUE:
Cars drove out the horse and buggy for good reason. They were faster than horses, easier to control and (except for my brother's car) smelled better.

But they haven't beaten the bicycle. Bikes were around long before the Model A ruled the 30's and will be around long after the last 280Z finally succumbs to seagull droppings.

If anything, cars are starting to lose the battle. In 1965, about 20 million cars and 20 million bikes were built around the world. In 2000, car production rose to about 40 million. Bikes? About 100 million.

Time to run out and buy a new bike? Not so fast, Schwinn-boy.

THE GOOD TURN:
The total cost of driving a car is about 54 cents a mile. But at a bicycle co-op, a bike might just cost some volunteer time and a few bills for spare parts.

Bicycle cooperatives are popping up all over the country. Most, like Free Ride in Pittsburgh, won't fix your bike for you, but volunteers will teach you how to fix it yourself - everyone turns a wrench. In return for the help, you can simply swap some volunteer time. You can usually get good used parts on the cheap too. Some co-ops even donate fixed up bikes to help the homeless with job transportation.

It's all about putting bikes - and bikers - back on the streets, building community spirit and doing good for the environment.

Bikes aren't the answer to everything. I should know, with a 50-mile round trip commute. But chances are you have a neglected bike lurking in the shadows of your garage providing aid and comfort to a family of spiders. Or maybe an injured two-wheeler that just needs a little Charlie Brown-style TLC.

Your bike can work again. You can fall in love with fresh air again. And you can do it without tossing the old ball-bearing and chain on the scrap heap and buying a new one.

CLICK HERE TO DO THIS GOOD TURN:
(Do a Google search for "shared bike programs," "free-use bikes" or "bike cooperative")
Find a bike cooperative in your state
Check out the Yellow Bike Project
The true cost of driving, according to AAA

TODAY'S TURN: Beer, bikes and benefiting kids

THE ISSUE:
This is one campaign I can really throw my weight behind. All 200 pounds of beer belly momentum.

This summer, for every Miller Lite bottle cap collected, the brewer will donate 10 cents to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The MDA fights more than 40 neuromuscular diseases - including Lou Gehrig's Disease - that attack millions of people.

Most people my age (38) grew up watching the Jerry Lewis Telethon every Labor Day. Watched him sweat, cry, loosen his tie and hug everyone in sight. You couldn't help picking up the phone and donating something. That's MDA.

THE GOOD TURN:
Knock a few back to benefit Jerry's Kids! You should be able to find cap collection points where you buy your hops-n-barley refreshments. If not, ask the guy behind the counter.

You're wondering what this has to do with bikes. These millions of caps will be shipped to Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary at the end of August. Miller Lite will write a check and the caps will be dumped into a huge Miller Lite bottle.

And then, I can only assume, everyone at the bike rally will belch.

CLICK HERE TO DO THIS GOOD TURN:
Read more about the Miller Lite - MDA campaign here.
Mail your caps to Miller Lite at this address.
Be part of Harley-Davidson's Parade of MDA Heroes.

A Landfill Experiment

Here's a fun little eye-opener quiz:

How long does it take these items to biodegrade?
Put them in order from shortest time to longest time. Go ahead, I'll wait...

- Tin Can
- Disposable Diaper
- Plastic 6-pack Holder
- Paper
- Wool Cap
- Aluminum Can
- Glass Bottles
- Rubber Boot Sole
- Banana Peel
- Cigarette Butt
- Hard Plastic Container

For answers, go to the Mothers Fighting for Others site.

TODAY'S TURN: Diamonds are forever - and fair

THE ISSUE:
Nothing says "love" like a diamond. And apparently, nothing says "soulless, worthless piece of crap" like not having a diamond. But not all ice is clear. Some of it's badly stained.

You've probably heard of "conflict-free" diamonds. It means the UN vouches that the country of origin doesn't use diamond funds to pay for civil wars or other conflicts. It's a good start, but not good enough.

But why not, when 99% of the diamonds in the US are deemed non-conflict? Because "non-conflict" only red flags war zones. Diamonds can be tainted by so much more than that. Human rights abuses, environmental damage, low wages and child/slave labor can still happen in "non-conflict" mining countries. Right now, an estimated 1 million diggers live on subsistence wages of $1 a day or less.

If non-conflict diamonds are a girl's best friend, fair trade diamonds are the best friend who takes in orphans, reads for blind nuns, and nurses injured sparrows back to health.

THE GOOD TURN:
Ask your jeweler about their diamond sources. If they're serious about these issues, they'll have info about where and how their gems were mined. Here's a short list of online jewelers who seem to be dedicated.

Canada is making a name for itself as a mother lode of fairly trade, ethical diamonds, led by two companies. Brilliant Earth donates 5% of its profits to benefit local African communities. Igloo Diamonds donates 40% of the mark-up price on every diamond to Adopt-a-Minefield, an organization that clears landmines left over from conflict in parts of Africa.

But personally, I'd like to see people continue to buy African. The poor people in these nations would simply suffer too much from a boycott. Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana says that "diamonds have played a major part in the transformation of our country's fortunes and the lives of our citizens. For our people, every diamond purchase represents food on the table; better living conditions; better healthcare; potable and safe drinking water; more roads to connect our remote communities; and much more."

If it's fair, of course.

CLICK HERE TO DO THIS GOOD TURN:
Read about Canadian diamond dealers commited to fair trade.
Here are some diamond facts.
How fair trade is good business for the diamond industry.
Member jewelers of StopBloodDiamonds.org.
See how the Rapaport Group is ensuring fair trade in the diamond industry.

Revolutionary beef!!!

I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination. And you know what? That's okay. I've made my peace with it. Because I know that we all - carnivores and herbivores alike - share one belief in common: that cows have the innate right to fight for their own freedom.

This is the most inspiring piece of bovine propoganda I've ever seen. After watching it 3-4 times (like I did this morning), you'll want to stand up like these cud-chewing patriots and fight against your own personal slaughterhouse.

Long live beefy justice!!!

Kiva loan update: fourth payment on time

Another payment of $113 was posted on our microloan to Zaituni Mudoobi and her catering group in Kireka, Uganda. The loan is now 33% paid off and every payment has been on time.

Here's a very thoughtful post on why microloans like Kiva are growing in popularity. Could it be as simple as the fact that EVERYTHING about the experience reeks of positive energy?

For background, here's my original post about the Kiva microloan service.