The realization that events on the other side of the world actually have an impact on us here in the United States is unfortunately a recent one. The recent attacks in Saudi Arabia and the rising gasoline prices are no coincidence.

The example of the rising oil prices here due to the attacks in Saudi Arabia demonstrates the interconnectedness of the world. Martin Luther King Jr. recognized this interconnectedness far before globalization became an issue when he said, “Before you’ve finished your breakfast this morning, you’ll have relied on half the world.”

In the book “Linked,” author Albert-Laszlo Barabasi suggests that we may be only three links away from anyone other person in the world. Milgram suggested six degrees of separation, but Barabasi suggests we could be closer to three links away.

I can attest to this possible three degrees of separation. While in South Korea two summers ago, I was enjoying a meal that had been spiced with Tone’s Spices. Right there in Daegu, South Korea, I was enjoying spices from Ankeny, Iowa. I live less than ten minutes away from the spice factory.

With this interconnectedness, we must realize that our actions here are also having a large impact on others around the world. The United States, being one of the world’s richest countries, has a large impact on the world markets, especially with being fair in trading with the rest of the world.

The issue of fair trade has recently resurfaced, and its importance has not diminished. One item of trade that has become popularized for becoming fair trade is coffee.

Coffee is one of the largest imports into the United States. We import billions of dollars worth every year. We buy the coffee from farmers who have worked hard for their crop to be paid nearly nothing for their work.

“I’d like you to tell people in your place that the drink they are enjoying is now the cause of all our problems,” said Lawrence Seguya of Mpigi District, Uganda. “We [grow] the crop with our sweat and sell it for nothing.”

Organizations such as the World Trade Organization, and agreements such as North American Free Trade Agreement help keep the prices that farmers get paid down.

The eight richest countries spend more than $1 billion per day on agricultural subsidies. These subsidies drive down the price farmers in other countries can get for their produce, putting farmers out of business because the cost of production is higher than the price they get in return.

Coffee prices have fallen by 70 percent since 1997, costing exporters in poor countries $8 billion. A Ghanaian cocoa farmer only gets 1.2 percent of the price we pay for a bar of chocolate. Between 1996 and 2000, Ghana increased cocoa production by almost a third but was paid a third less.

Coffee and cocoa are just two of the many products that our government and other rich nations subsidize for lower prices. The problem is our nation uses its position of privilege to completely take advantage of other countries. We don’t pay a fair amount for the commodities like coffee and cocoa.

Fair trade ensures that farmers are paid a livable wage, and allowed to make a profit large enough to survive. You can purchase fair trade coffee at most of the caf‚s in Ames, including Stomping Grounds and Caf‚ Diem.

On Main Street in Ames, there is also a store called Worldly Goods, which is a non-profit organization offering many items, all of which are either fair trade or purchased directly from the producer.

By simply asking for a fair trade coffee the next time you enjoy a cup, or stop into Worldly Goods the next time you are on Main Street. You can help a farmer or producer help sustain themselves and live a life not of poverty, but where they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. This is a simple and tangible action that we can do right here in Ames to save the world.

So the next time you sit down for a cup of joe, order a fair trade coffee and save the world sitting down.