Areas with the right conditions for cocoa cultivation are also the areas where the tropical diversity of plants and animals is the highest. It is estimated that the production of cocoa has so far contributed to the loss of 8 million hectares of tropical forest. When trees grow, they get carbon out of the air. Because plants and trees break down carbon dioxide (CO2) (by converting into glucose and oxygen) deforestation indirectly affects the amount of CO2 emissions and consequently climate change impacts. The imminent threat of deforestation of parts of the Amazon forest comes in a time of growing concern about climate change.
Footprints of chocolate producers
In 2012, United Cacao depleted 2,000 hectares of Peruvian rainforest for commercial cocoa plantation. Despite its isolated location, good images are taken by NASA satellites. These images enabled researchers to gather data needed to get a good estimate of the impact on CO2 emissions. Before the arrival of the plantation, it was determined that the same area could store 122,000 kg of carbon per hectare. The study results in a reduction of 40,000 kg per hectare. This means that, due to the change in land use in relation to this plantation, the net CO2 emissions amount to 600 million kg. According to the World Resources Institute, this is equivalent to 60,000 times by car driving around the world.
OUR CONTRIBUTION
* With our dark chocolate we help the Awajún Indians in Peru
The Awajun are traditional hunters and collectors and live in the Amazon rainforest jungle In the north-east of Peru. With the income of this organic cocoa, the Indians can Provided for their living and they are not forced to earn money by selling wood Or to cut for agriculture and animal husbandry. This chocolate contributes to the preservation of the tropical Rainforest and the development of sustainable cultivation of cocoa.
* With our milk chocolate we help the world’s last mountain gorillas.
They live in Virunga National Park, Congo. Because their habitat is affected by humans, cocoa has been planted on the edge of the park. This organic cocoa provides residents with income so that they are not the habitat of the gorillas Threatened by logging and poaching.
* With our white chocolate we support Fairtransport. From A to B without CO2!
The Tres Hombres, flagship of Fairtransport, brings sailing cocoa beans out of the Dominican Republic to Amsterdam. The Chocolate Makers make our white chocolate from the cocoa butter.
Fairtransport Foundation is committed to the transport of goods by sailing.
They do this mainly by giving information about the current, polluting motor-cargo and the ability to clean transport, recruitment of students & volunteers.
The foundation is also working on investigating and exploiting new markets and trade routes.
