and coffee - via workers' stories at each stage of the production chain.

The radio program gives a clear insight in how unfair trade still can be, around common goods like coffee & cotton. "The cheap white t-shirt is a staple in many people's wardrobes, but what is the real cost of this bargain?”

To find out, the programme followed the journeys of goods from the farm to the shop floor, to track back the real costs of cheap cotton.

"As shoppers consume ever larger amounts of clothing, are they really taking into account the cost paid by workers back down the production chain?”

On the way we are guided by industry experts. They make clear to the listeners how surprising it still is, most consumers don't really think about the background of their products, despite globalisation. “When they start thinking, they do learn”.

At the end of the journey, one expert states: “think a little bit about some of the budget clothing that's just so incredibly cheap. How could it be produced so cheap? The answer is that it's just not sustainable. The way it's produced, is ultimately gonna cost someone somewhere. Cost in human lives, cost in misery, community and environmental degradation. And down the line, we are all gonna feel that costs...”.

You can listen, download or Podcast the show on the BBC website (top-right section).

It's right this story, covered by BBC, that lead to the founding of Kuyichi jeans wear. Being Fair. Being Real. It's our philosophy.

Before Kuychi was started in 2001, the initiators already booked success with the Fair Trade coffee program “Max Havelaar” and Oké Bananas.

Did you know that the world's first public 'idealistic' broadcasting association was started back in 2005, in our country of origin: the Netherlands?!

Funny it is indeed, an it's even more than that, while their programs successfully strive to make people more aware of their routines in consumption and daily lifestyle! And that's not done in a way you would fear of!

Instead, their attention on social subjects, the rights of people, animals and on the antagonism between prosperity and poverty in the world, is spread in a contemporary & innovative way! They encourage the dialogue amongst a growing audience!

Some while ago, they did a field-research on their TV Lifestyle Magazine 'LLinke Soep', to find out how many people actually have organic cotton clothes hanging in their closets.

Oops, the results that stayed way below the expectations, were certainly a bummer. But the brand name Kuyichi was dropped several times by the Dutch consumers, showing their respect for the mission of the brand.

And their responds were pretty clear: Kuyichi is well-known for it's conscious approach to modern expectations of socially aware consumers! That's a clear statement, which makes us very proud!
Hit the LLiNK & see for yourself!

Llinke Soep: fashion-item part 1 (Dutch)
Llinke Soep: fashion-item part 2 (Dutch)
(more info on their website)

And in case your Dutch would let you down, don't worry!
Since 2005, we've seen many more initiatives popping up & around, in English too!

Try one of the following online:

> The Lazy Environmentalist offers Radio shows from their website
> Treehugger serves you regularly with Radio & Television shows
> Or read our earlier coverage on Lime.com

]]> http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/2007/05/kuyichi-on-air/feed/ 0 http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/2007/04/our-cmmn-future/ http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/2007/04/our-cmmn-future/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:23:13 +0000 admin http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/?p=216 After Kuyichi jeans, other Dutch eco-entrepeneurs have teamed up forces, to join the sustainable_revolution!

Last week, the most revolutionary eco-car was launched at Amsterdam's AutoRAI show. The car is called "c,mm,n", and has a website (Dutch only). It's conceived by the Netherlands Society for Nature and the Environment (or "Stichting Natuur en Milieu") and technical universities of Delft, Eindhoven and Enschede.

The c,mm,n car was designed for more sustainable driving with a zero-emission hydrogen engine.
Although there are many more examples popping up & around of more sustainable alternatives for driving in the near future, this car sets itself apart from others, by using an open-source model of development.

According to Core77: "The vehicle's technical drawings and blueprints are freely available online, and everyone is invited to add their own ideas and modifications, provided of course that these are shared again with the community."

Additionally, sharing of information is a part of the driving experience that c,mm,n's inventors envision, as they plan to incorporate technology that will allow drivers to "easily share information on traffic conditions, route planning and parking availability."

Read the story on Treehugger's.

Now also the car industry is taking it's Corporate Social Responsabilities more serious!

For more information on AutoRAI's ECO Village, where car manufacturers, energy suppliers and other exhibitors are presenting their vision on ecologically and economically-sound driving, have a look at their website (Dutch only).

Or see the website of the New York International Auto Show, for what they will present on new cars using alternative fuels.


]]> http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/2007/04/our-cmmn-future/feed/ 1 http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/2007/03/nukuhiva-launches-one-t-shirt/ http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/2007/03/nukuhiva-launches-one-t-shirt/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:14:56 +0000 admin http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/?p=200 Get your ONE T-shirt @ Nukuhiva!