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The perfect accompaniment for your Valentine’s Day stroll through Target. Or not. This week we cover two subjects related to the holiday of love: chocolate and consumer traps.
Olivia tells us about the ongoing lawsuits surrounding the cocoa industry, the companies that have been dragging their feet regarding exploitative practices for decades, and those who are fighting the good fight. Then Elise perfectly describes the layout of your local Target (how does she know?) and what you were thinking the last time you needed “just one thing.” Along the way we discuss Tiktok shopping trends, magic tricks, and why you shouldn’t boil your bouquet of roses.
*The chocolate story in this episode (09:30 to 35:00) discusses modern-day slavery and child labor.
We have a palm oil update for you! Prominent investors are funding tech that turns food waste into synthetic palm oil, cutting out the need for deforestation normally tied to its production. But of course, it’s not as simple as that–if you want us to cover the story of palm oil and how the world got hooked, let us know.
The effects of climate change are becoming ever more tangible. A glacier caused a devastating avalanche in northern India over the weekend, and the disaster was attributed to warming temperatures. Glaciers are melting twice as fast as they were last century, which primes the area for future incidents. Can Biden declare a climate emergency already??
Story #1: Chocolate (Olivia)
Sources:
Nestle, Cargill at high court in child labor case by Associated Press, December 1 2020
Bitter chocolate: Chocolate’s Heart of Darkness by DW Documentary, Sept 28 2020
The Story of Chocolate: Unwrapping the Bar by Fairtrade Foundation, February 19 2019
Timeline, Tony’s Chocolonely
Order in the court, equality in the supply chain by Tony’s Chocolonely, November 30 2020
Don’t kid yourself about child labor by Tony’s Chocolonely, October 22, 2020
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Nestlé v. Doe and Cargill v. Doe via Lawfare, January 11, 2021
Cocoa Barometer “State of Sustainability” 2020 review
These 5 Valentine’s Day Traditions Are Being Threatened by Climate Change via Global Citizen, February 14 2019
Assessing Progress in Reducing Child Labor in Cocoa Growing Areas of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana by NORC at the University of Chicago (National Opinion Research Center)
Harkin–Engel Protocol on Wikipedia
Bittersweet chocolate by Caroline Tiger for Salon, February 14 2003
Story #1: The Target Effect (Elise)
Sources:
The ‘Target Effect:’ A psychologist explains why you can’t just buy one thing, NBC News, November 2018
Experts Confirm That It’s Nearly Impossible to Buy One Thing at Target – Here’s Why, House Beautiful, August 2018
Why It’s So Hard To Buy “Just One Thing” At Target, Refinery29, July 2018
8 clever tricks that Target uses to get you to keep spending money in its stores, Business Insider, May 2019
How Target Stands Out Among Its Discount Store Competitors, Forbes, August 2014
Target is cashing in on a shift that’s creating a ‘sphere of despair’ for brands, Business Insider, August 2017
We know we just spent half an episode telling you not to buy things you don’t need, but Olivia made some thoughtful purchases lately that she’s quite enjoyed. If you need a coat rack or if you love popcorn and are looking for a convenient, package-free way to enjoy it, take a look at the options she chose and see if they might fit your needs.
The Dump
Watch:
Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself
Framing Britney Spears
Listen:
The Department – their series on 2000’s Trends compliments the Framing Britney doc extremely well!
And don’t forget to join your local Buy Nothing or Plant Swap Group!
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