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But is all this actually necessary? Despite putting millions of animals through this every year, it is unclear whether this approach is actually the most effective. Human biology often differs significantly from those of the animals used in testing. While animal studies can be useful as a first step, the conclusions don't carry over to humans in most cases. One study found this was true 64% of the time! This is not only a massive waste of life but needlessly expensive and time-consuming. Animal-free methods of testing product safety are being developed, including sophisticated tests using human cells and tissues (also known as in vitro methods), advanced computer-modeling techniques, and studies with human volunteers. Avoid products and companies that use animal testing. Search PETA's database of companies that do and that don't test on animals. Learn more about animal testing and find ways to take action.

But have you ever thought about the millions of people across the world whose livelihoods depend on coffee production? Unfortunately, many are unable to earn a reliable living wage. Volatile coffee bean prices, changing weather conditions, difficulties with disease, and a lack of bargaining power put significant pressure on farmers. This is compounded by a coffee bean price that has been declining for the last decade. In some cases, farmers earn less than one cent from a $3 cup of coffee! But if coffee is such a profitable product and growers live so poorly, where does all that money go? Well, most of the profits are pocketed by the roasters, which are overwhelmingly large multinational companies. The biggest of these in the Australian market include Nestle, JDE Peet's, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. Many large Australian businesses, like Vittoria Coffee, also have a significant market share. While far from perfect, Fairtrade-certified coffee is a solid alternative. Farmers who are certified get a minimum price for their beans, protecting against unpredictability. They also receive a premium to invest in their business or local community. Another plus is the audits which aim to prevent child and forced labour, discrimination, and other poor work conditions. A more ideal solution is to buy from companies that both grow and roast the beans themselves. This cuts out the multinationals taking the profits and ensures equitable pay for growers. What you can do: Buy coffee that is sustainably grown and roasted here in Australia. Look for products with the certified Fairtrade symbol, preferable from from small, independent, Australian-owned roasters.

Can you really support an industry that puts millions of living beings through this every year? The other main way fur is collected is through trapping. Most of the time, this involves laying traps in the wild that immobilise the animal until hunters can come and collect them. Although practices and regulations vary, common traps include steel-jaw leg-hold traps, wire snare traps, and underwater traps. Traps that aren't intended to kill the animal will leave them in pain until they are killed by their injuries, environmental conditions, or a hunter. Even traps intended to kill are usually not instant and leave them in pain before dying, such as those which drown or suffocate the animal. Another problem is that traps risk injuring or killing animals other than the target, including domesticated dogs and cats. This causes needless suffering and death and can be traumatic for families if their animal companion is accidentally harmed. What you can do: Avoid buying products containing fur. Be careful, some clothing contains a fur trim or other feature despite looking fur-free. Learn how to spot the difference between real and fake fur. Boycott brands that use fur and support those that do not. Check Animals Australia's Fur Free Shopping List for retailers and designers with fur-free policies.

The problem is complicated further when the millions of piece- rate workers and homeworkers within the industry are considered. When workers are paid by the number of garments they produce, rather than the number of hours they work, it becomes near-impossible to earn a living wage during a working week. Women in El Salvador are paid just 29 cents for each $140 Nike NBA jersey they sew. To pay them a living wage, they would earn 58 cents per shirts, 4/10ths of one percent of the retail cost of the shirt. Buy second-hand clothes, or support local clothing brands which are accredited by See the Simple Plan and MTV EXIT video for 'This Song Saved My Life' See 'Behind the Swoosh' documentary and more about the fight against Nike's sweatshops at www.teamsweat.org See the Ethical Fashion Report, published by the Behind the Barcode project.

Many of our ancient forests in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales are presently being logged, clearfelled, burnt, and turned into millions of tonnes of woodchips for paper and cardboard every year. Say 'no' to Reflex and other Australian Paper products (including Post Office brand), which use Australian native forest fibre and are chlorine bleached. Choose copy paper with recycled content Find out more about protecting our forests