What do Oreos, your shampoo, Nutri-Grain bars and Cup Noodles have in common? Aside from being common consumable products, they share one important trait. All contain palm oil, and because of this, have a massive environmental impact.
The impact of palm oil on the world’s forests has managed to fly under the radar in a world that is slowly waking up to the game of environmental brinkmanship being played. Many tout their recycling habits, or reduced food waste, as ways in which they’re “green.” And it’s absolutely true that such practices have the potential to make real, meaningful differences in the state of our climate, natural resources and environment. Still, these same well-intending people are all too often simply unaware of the palm oil crisis.
So what is the crisis exactly? It is all unfolding far away, and this is probably one of the major factors behind the poor coverage it receives. In short, palm oil is produced by the African and American oil palm plants. It’s used as a versatile substitute for other oils in many foods, especially processed snack foods, as well as cosmetics, toothpastes, shampoos and conditioners, etc. Palm oil is ubiquitous in the supermarket, and it goes by dozens of names. As a result of the incredible demand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of Africa and South America have experienced massive deforestation (300 football fields/hour), animals driven to the edge of extinction, and human and animal rights violations. The best way to combat the deforestation, short of starting a campaign or lobbying government officials, is simply to stop supporting the crime that is palm oil, and encourage those around you to do the same.
It’s worth noting that “sustainable” or “conflict free” palm oil often isn’t either of these at all, and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Also, here are some of the many names for palm oil. I hope you’ll look out for, and avoid them next time you’re at the store.
https://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-agriculture/25-sneaky-names-palm-oil.html
The impact of palm oil on the world’s forests has managed to fly under the radar in a world that is slowly waking up to the game of environmental brinkmanship being played. Many tout their recycling habits, or reduced food waste, as ways in which they’re “green.” And it’s absolutely true that such practices have the potential to make real, meaningful differences in the state of our climate, natural resources and environment. Still, these same well-intending people are all too often simply unaware of the palm oil crisis.
So what is the crisis exactly? It is all unfolding far away, and this is probably one of the major factors behind the poor coverage it receives. In short, palm oil is produced by the African and American oil palm plants. It’s used as a versatile substitute for other oils in many foods, especially processed snack foods, as well as cosmetics, toothpastes, shampoos and conditioners, etc. Palm oil is ubiquitous in the supermarket, and it goes by dozens of names. As a result of the incredible demand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of Africa and South America have experienced massive deforestation (300 football fields/hour), animals driven to the edge of extinction, and human and animal rights violations. The best way to combat the deforestation, short of starting a campaign or lobbying government officials, is simply to stop supporting the crime that is palm oil, and encourage those around you to do the same.
It’s worth noting that “sustainable” or “conflict free” palm oil often isn’t either of these at all, and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Also, here are some of the many names for palm oil. I hope you’ll look out for, and avoid them next time you’re at the store.
https://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-agriculture/25-sneaky-names-palm-oil.html