Counting On … – Page 2

Counting on … day 91

24th September 2026

Cocoa plants are particularly susceptible to unseasonable weather, especially intensive rainfall and drought. This has already impacted this year’s production and will continue to be an issue with the ongoing impact of El Niño. Most cocoa production comes from small farms, and at that scale the impact of a poor harvest can be difficult to cope with. Poor harvests impact both producers and consumers. Cocoa farmers have long suffered from low prices for their crops. To some extent this can be alleviated through Fair Trade certification whereby the farmers receive a guaranteed premium price.

However there are various other projects that seek to improve the profitability of small scale cocoa farms. These, for example, may include growing additional compatible crops such as yams, cassava, rice and poultry. Silviculture where taller growing trees provide shade and an additional crop, are a good solution. The RSPB sells chocolate made from cocoa grown in this way where a particular benefit is in providing restored forest habitats for native birds.

Shade grown cocoa farming is to be encouraged as a better option for soil health, climate and biodiversity, than the sadly frequent practice of deforestation where natural tropical forests are cleared to make space for cocoa plants.

Another approach is to manufacture the chocolate in the country of origin. This way a greater proportion of the money earned stays with the local communities.

Another potential source of income for the farmer is to recycle the cocoa pulp that surrounds the coco bean and which conventionally is discarded.

Further reading

Fairtrade chocolate – https://www.fairtrade.net/uk-en/products-and-producers/fairtrade-products/chocolate.html

RSPB chocolate – https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/the-power-of-forest-friendly-chocolate

https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/rspb-dark-drinking-chocolate.html

Cocoa and deforestation – https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/forests/chocolate-giants-fuel-deforestation-in-west-africas-last-rainforest/

https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?15675941/Business-as-usual-cocoa-Is-driving-a-new-wave-of-global-forest-destruction-warns-new-WWF-report

And https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/22/cocoa-planting-is-destroying-protected-forests-in-west-africa-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Chocolate manufactured in Africa – https://www.tasteatlas.com/best-rated-chocolates-in-africa

Reusing cocoa pulp – https://www.wri.org/insights/hidden-benefits-cacao-waste

From bean to bar: how chocolate is produced – https://worldcocoafoundation.org/from-bean-to-bar

Counting on … day 90

23rd September 2026

An article featured in the Conversation, highlighted five foods that are going to cost more this winter as a result of extreme weather events, global conflict et al. These were chocolate, potatoes, leafy greens, olive oil and bread (wheat).

Over the next few days I’ll reflect on some of the impacts.

https://theconversation.com/five-foods-that-could-cost-even-more-this-winter-and-why-292419?utm_campaign=the-daily-39638&utm_content=the-daily-39638_uk%7C2%7C39638%7C41ea8a7e&utm_medium=email&utm_source=braze&utm_term=Five+foods+that+could+cost+even+more+this+winter+%E2%80%93+and+why

Counting on … day 89

11th September 2026

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice!”

I loved this headline from Ethical Consumer, promoting Second Hand September.

“Climate change and cost of living – if you find yourself caught between two crises, perhaps Secondhand September may help. Buying secondhand is one of the best ways to reduce both your carbon footprint and your monthly outgoings.

“Pre-loved items reduce the water, raw materials and energy associated with their production. And they’re often far cheaper than new, so you can either save money or buy better quality items than your budget would usually allow.”

Their article on second hand clothing is well worth reading – https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/fashion-clothing/ethical-clothing-choices-upcycling-repairing-second-hand

Counting on … day 88

9th September 2026

Green spaces are clearly important for mental health as well as for encouraging physical activity and well being. Research from Fields in Trust reveals that in the UK 5.6 million people do not live with 10 minutes walking access to a green space. 1 in 3 children under 9s do not have access to a playground near their home. Only 6% of green spaces are legally protected.

To maintain access to green spaces at current levels for our growing population, would mean creating 4000 new parks by 2033.

https://fieldsintrust.org/insights/green-space-index

Counting on … day 87

8th September 2026

Recently I was listening to an episode from Farming Today about a biodiversity restoration project in Norfolk which joined together the work of multiple farmers to create a long nature corridor. The work sounded amazing but what really caught my attention was how, in participating and seeing the restoration of natural ecosystems with all their biodiversity, it was helping with the farmers own mental well being. Farming is not an easy profession especially when faced with droughts and floods where crops and livestock re diminished, as well facing the financial crises of rising costs for fuel and fertilisers. It is can also, I think, be quite a lonely occupation.

https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/m0030x81

Counting on … 86

7th September

A different aspect of resilience is maintaining good mental health.

I know I can get over stressed by worrying about the various existential crises that we face – climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty, injustice etc – and I can get into a frame of mind that says that anything I do will not be enough, that anything I do will not make a difference, and I can’t work out what to do. It becomes overwhelming and I can’t escape.

But what do I know is that there are some things that I can do that will unwind the anxiety. One is exercise and I do this regularly with a set pattern such that on Tuesdays for example, I will book a swim for 7.30am, then use the gym and then have breakfast in the cafe. The other is to simply go out and pay attention to the natural world – often this is sitting by the Thames, watching the river, the wildlife, the changing tides and seasons, and even just watching the people who are also enjoying the river.

You could say that I count on nature to keep me sane!

Counting on … day 85

4th September 2026

Resilience* – readiness to cope with small emergencies – might also include a small collection of tool kit such as and screw drivers and hammers, a craft knife, screws and nails, string, gaffer tape and glue. Equally useful would be a sewing kit, and in both instances some knowledge about to use either kit.

This would allow you to carry out small repairs in a temporary basis.

This continues a theme I was exploring on August

Counting on … day 84

4th August 2026

Resilience is about being able to cope with emergencies. Having a first kit is part of that. Ditto knowing how to administer first aid. The British Red Cross and St John’s Ambulance both run first aid training courses. They also have a downloadable handbook. Not included in a first aid kit, but nevertheless useful are essentials such as paracetamol and other such standard medications depending on what you would normally use.

As well as a first aid kit, it is sensible to have in hand spare medication if you have to take some regularly.

The British Red Cross has a useful emergency first aid app – https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/free-emergency-apps

Counting on … day 83

3rd August 2026

As well as knowing where the stopcock is, a bucket could be another useful asset in the case of emergencies.

Another handy item would be at least one torch and some spare batteries – or a rechargeable torch that you do keep fully charged. In the past we would have said have some candles but from a safety point of view a camping style lantern that runs on a battery would be better.

Equally useful in a different way would be a head torch – handy for washing up or cooking in the dark.

Counting on … day 82

31st July 2026

Knowing where the stop cock for your water supply and the off switch for your electricity and gas supplies is sensible. In the event of a flood all three should be switched off.

The other sensible thing is to make sure they are working. We recently had a dripping tap. When we tried to turn off the water, we discovered the stopcock was not working. When we tried to turn off the water in the street we found that that too was not working! So first we had to get Thames Water to fix the stopcock in the street, and then a plumber to fit a new stopcock inside before we could tackle the tap!!!