Rainforest Alliance

After more than twenty years with the Rainforest Alliance – serving first as a board member, later as executive director and now as president – Tensie Whelan has seen the organization change and grow tremendously. At the close of 2010, we sat down with her to reflect on another wonderful year and to talk about her hopes and goals for the coming one.

Tell us about a 2010 accomplishment that made you particularly proud.

Since I’m so often flying to meet with all the terrific people we work with in the tropics, I was thrilled when American Airlines decided to carry Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffee at the suggestion of Java City, their coffee provider. That’s a commitment to some 30 million cups of coffee a year, which means one million pounds of beans produced by farmers who are protecting wildlife and workers!

American Airlines, Nestlé Nescafe, Tetley Tea... some of the world's leading companies joined or significantly expanded their commitment to sustainable sourcing this year. What is it about our work that resonates?

The smart companies who source natural-resource-based products realize that climate change, water scarcity, poverty and pollution not only pose threats to our planet, but to the long-term viability of their businesses. Working with the Rainforest Alliance to help their suppliers remain productive helps to ensure the long-term viability of businesses, of natural resources and ultimately of the planet.

Perhaps the major outcome of the recently concluded COP16 summit was the Cancun Accord, which includes text on REDD+ (reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation) and acknowledges the critical role forests play in mitigating climate change. Doesn't that put our work front and center in global efforts to combat climate change?

Twenty percent of all carbon dioxide emissions are due to deforestation -- and 70 percent of deforestation is due to conversion to agriculture. Our work to help forest-dependent communities grow crops, harvest trees and host tourists sustainably is helping to reduce emissions now and will eventually enable these communities to derive economic benefits on the carbon market.

This year, the Sustainable Agriculture Network launched a standard for cattle ranches. Why did we decide to move in this new direction?

Cattle ranching is the major driver of deforestation in the Amazon and intensive cattle grazing results in soil erosion, water pollution and land degradation. But if sustainably managed, the grazing of livestock can actually help to alleviate deforestation.

As an organization, what is one of our most important goals for 2011?

We would really like to step up our use of social media to engage consumers in a dialogue around sustainable consumption. Seal Your Cup, our newly launched social media campaign to promote Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee, is the first step in that direction!

What is one of your personal eco-resolutions?

To eat more Rainforest Alliance Certified chocolate!