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Many of the problems facing today’s world aren’t news to us. The environment is in dire need of help, hunger is widespread throughout the world, and workers in third world countries are continuously being exploited. Yet many people still feel they can’t possibly make a difference to such widespread problems.

However, the truth is that they can. If individuals across the globe band together for a cause, their collective efforts could make all the difference in the world - whether it’s with regard to the environment, world hunger or even the exploitation of workers.

For instance, one person recycling a can or a bottle doesn’t seem like much. But if every household in a given city were to recycle and conserve energy, that city could make a huge positive impact on environmental damage. Similarly, there are countless ways to help fight world hunger - whether it’s to donate money to a dedicated worldwide charity, donate canned goods to your local charity, or even make lifestyle changes like going vegetarian. World hunger is a massive problem - but it doesn’t mean individuals themselves can’t make a difference.

Worker exploitation is another huge problem. All across the world - particularly in third world countries - workers are forced to labor long hours, with close to no pay. Yet these workers continue to show up to such a way of life, because they have no other options. They could work hard for little money, or they might not have a job to come to at all.

Similarly, third world operations as a whole often get taken advantage of by richer countries. For instance, some buyers give an unfair price for a third-world farmer’s goods, simply because the goods cost little in the country of origin. Moreover, if the farmer doesn’t agree to a low price, it’s very likely that the buyer will go to another farmer in a third world country who will agree to that price. Thus, farmers in third world countries must submit to selling their goods for unfair prices, because to them, that’s better than selling nothing.

So, how can people like us help combat such a big problem? Many don’t know very much about worker exploitation to begin with; and even if they did, it’s such a widespread problem - could they possibly make a difference? The good news is, everyone can make a difference - and it doesn’t take much. Simply raising awareness of the products you buy in stores - from apparel to food - is a massive start.

For example, if you see two similar products side by side in a food shop, but one of them is labeled “fair trade”, you’ll know immediately that the workers who labored to produce that product were given a fair price for their goods. And true, fair trade products might cost a little bit more - but in the end, the difference is not very much and it goes towards ethical trade.

When it comes to apparel and retail buying, however, it might not be as easy to make the ethical choice - simply because companies don’t often advertise whether the factories that made the items are ‘ethical’. Instead, you might be required to do a bit of research on the stores you tend to shop in, finding out where their goods come from and whether the operations are ethical.

Choosing to give your cash to ethical businesses around the world is a significant start to helping combat worker exploitation - and it’s just one way that you, as an individual, can make a difference to such a widespread problem.

Victoria Cochrane writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.