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Zoë Anderson, our resident conscience and green/ethical issues advocate, lives up to her new year's resolution to help readers lead a better life in 2007.
Zoë aims to unblur some of the issues around ethical consumerism
Not Just for Christmas…
December’s SCOPE featured an article on ethical shopping for Christmas. Now, as we make our way into 2007, that is no reason to turn back to old ways. We have pulled together some of the links listed in that article and added some new ones – maybe you’ll spend that long-awaited January pay differently this year!
The sources listed below are by no means an exhaustive list – if you know of any websites you think we should add, let us know by emailing 
zoe.anderson@nicva.org.
Also, these are external websites, so we aren't responsible for the content therein.
General information and shopping
There are many directory-style websites which are useful signposting services, to help you find the most ethical products available and where you can purchase them. Or of course you can do your own browsing using a search engine – just make sure any sites you come across are secure. (Look for a little key or padlock on the lower right of the browser)
environment.guardian.co.uk/ethicalliving
Some other sites have a wide range of gifts of all kinds.
www.freecycle.org
Freecycle is a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources and eases the burden on landfills.
www.nosweatshop.com
No Sweat is an American organisation that supports independent trade unions. NB There will be an international delivery charge for orders.
Catalogues
Maybe you’ve seen some of these already? Two of the best known are Traidcraft and Tearcraft, both of which sell beautiful gifts and cards. Traidcraft helps thousands of craft workers and farmers across over 30 countries, and you can shop online at www.traidcraftshop.co.uk. Tearcraft is the fair trade catalogue of Tearfund, and you can also buy at www.tearcraft.org.
Organisations’ websites
Again this is not an exhaustive list, but simply directions to some sites you may find useful. If you support a particular cause, check out their website to see if they have a shopping facility.
www.nationaltrust-shop.co.uk/home
www.wwt.org.uk/shop/catalogue.asp
www.fairtrade.org.uk/products.htm
www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/index.htm
Food
www.helensbayorganicgardens.com
A ‘map’ of organic and farmers’ markets in Northern Ireland is available from NIEL free of charge, contact michelle@nienvironmentlink.org
And two points if you are out and about shopping – bring a reusable bag with you, and if you want to stop for a cuppa, make sure it’s Fairtrade (www.fairtradebelfast.com)!
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