Tags
biodiversity, CSPO, deforestation, Doc Antle, endangered species, Indonesia, Orangutans, palm oil production, rain forest, Rare Species Fund
The Horror of Palm Oil Production
Fires raging across much of Borneo and Sumatra devour vast amounts of Indonesian rainforest. These fires which are now out of control, are believed to have been set intentionally by companies seeking to clear land for the lucrative production of palm oil crops. Unfortunately, approximately 50% of everyday products used in the west today, contain palm oil.
Habitat for thousands of species, including critically endangered Sumatran tigers, orangutans and rhinos, is engulfed in flames at the rate of about one million acres annually— deforestation on a cataclysmic scale for the purpose of unsustainable palm oil production.
Unless this ecological apocalypse is arrested, the biodiversity of the Indonesian rainforest, and all of the hope for our future that it represents, could be lost in our lifetime.
— a·poc·a·lypse
/əˈpäkəˌlips/
1. the complete final destruction of the world.
2. an event involving destruction or damage on a catastrophic scale.
In 2012, the Rare Species Fund, traveled to Borneo to film a documentary about the life of the incomparable orangutan researcher, Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas —Orangutan Foundation International. During our travels, we visited the orangutan orphanage, seeing hundreds of orphaned babies lamenting the loss of their mothers to fire. The trauma these babies were experiencing was heart wrenching. And to realize, that this was once an incomparable eden filled with one of our closest living relatives; there are no words to describe the shock and depth of suffering we witnessed.
In Borneo, the deforestation by fire was obscene. We tried to help more than 300 orphaned baby orangutans find refuge.” — Doc Antle
What is Palm Oil?
Palm oil is an edible plant oil which has become a common ingredient in many consumer products. It is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “palm oil is the world’s highest yielding oil crop, with an output 5–10 times greater per [acre] than other leading vegetable oils.” In other words, it’s efficient and cheap to produce. And everything from processed food and vitamins to lotion and lip balm— candy and candles— shampoo and toothpaste, all contain palm oil.
How is Palm Oil Labeled?
Palm oil is not always clearly labeled. Here are some of the more recognizable names: Palm Kernel, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Fruit Oil, Palmate, Palmitate, Palmolein, Glyceryl, Stearate, Stearic Acid, Elaeis Guineensis, Palmitic Acid, Palm Stearine, Palmitoyl Oxostearamide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Kernelate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Lauryl Lactylate/Sulphate, Hyrated Palm Glycerides, Etyl Palmitate, Octyl Palmitate, Palmityl Alcohol.
Over Halloween, the Rare Species Fund, a non-profit organization, raised awareness of candy products containing palm oil. We issued a PSA to our mailing lists and social media to educate consumers as to the devastating ecological implications of unbridled palm oil production. We also supplied a list of candy that is palm oil free. However, simple boycotts fail to answer this complex conservation problem.
Boycotting Palm Oil Could Make the Problem Worse!
The alternatives to palm oil are other vegetable oils that would decimate even more land to produce. The Rare Species Fund subscribes to the WWF model of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) as outlined in their report entitled Profitability and Sustainability in Palm Oil Production. In short, we support the certification of best practices demanded by product producers, to ensure that the palm oil they are using is being grown in the most ecologically responsible way, and that land used to produce palm oil was not converted from land that was of High Conservation Value (HCV). In other words, land that contains a high level of biodiversity, or provides habitat for endangered species, cannot be used.
What Can I Do to Help?
Analyze what is in the products that you use. If you find palm oil in your favorite product, contact the manufacturer and ask that they use ONLY Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). Most manufacturers have contact information right on the label. If they are not using CSPO, tell them you will switch to a product that does. Post on their Facebook and twitter pages (most companies have a social media presence these days). Share this article and my blog, Tiger Tales, with your friends and family. Maybe together we can make a difference?
The horror! The horror!”
― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
Apocalyptic Ecological Disaster of Our Time?
Never before has such large scale industrial farming, using destructive slash and burn techniques, provided millions of consumers with everyday household products. Never before has there been such a raging firestorm engulfing high value biologically diverse habitat for critically endangered orangutans, tigers and rhinos. The homes for these charismatic creatures, and thousands of other plant and animal species, are being burned to the ground at a staggering pace. Although there is still hope of sustainably producing palm oil, that hope is but a flicker on the path toward Armageddon. Are we already too late? Take action for Tigers, Orangutans and Rhinos today!
Help RSF restore habitat for Iconic Sumatran Species
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Erika said:
In addition to driving multiple species to extinction, including the Sumatran orangutan, elephant, and tiger, all of which are critically endangered, as well the endangered Bornean orangutans and pygmy elephants, the massive deforestation of rain forest to convert it to palm oil crops is contributing significantly to climate change. We are literally killing ourselves along with them.
Excellent article. Thank you for posting it. I am sharing it and I hope others will too.
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Bhagavan Antle said:
It is truly the apocalyptic ecological disaster of our time. In training orangutans over the years, I have developed deep connections to them. They are so good natured, easy going and intelligent. It just breaks my heart to see this genocide unfolding before my very eyes…
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Andrew Wyatt said:
Heart of Darkness was the right title for this piece… Apocalypse Now!
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Erika said:
Reblogged this on Limitless and commented:
This is an excellent article on the impact of palm oil production on our world. In addition to driving multiple species to extinction, including the Sumatran orangutan, elephant, and tiger, all of which are critically endangered, as well the endangered Bornean orangutans and pygmy elephants, the massive deforestation of rain forest to convert it to palm oil crops is contributing significantly to climate change. We are literally killing ourselves along with them.
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Bhagavan Antle said:
Thank you for sharing Erika!
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Andrew Wyatt said:
In this new social media driven world of hash tags and headlines, people don’t want to take the time to read anything. They want to “like” or “share,” or argue indignantly over issues they don’t really understand. Folks just want to be for or against stuff. Well it’s not that simple. This article offers great insight to a complex conservation problem.
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Josh Gross | The Jaguar said:
Yes, sometimes shouting at people isn’t a good way to initiate positive change. Sometimes it’s necessary to really understand the nuances of a problem in order to determine the best course of action (such as supporting sustainable palm oil instead of just boycotting it). To do this, we often have to be willing to work with the people whom we think are responsible for the problems we want to fix.
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Gemma said:
Very educational and a lot to process. As I go through my household products I find it in everything!!! How crazy! I will make a change and let my friends know. Hopefully we can affect the palm oil industry financially. It doesn’t appear it will not be easy, but nothing good comes from the easy route. Thanks!
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Moksha Bybee said:
People are often overwhelmed by the ideas of extinction and climate change, they want to know what they can do to help. Start with one thing, avoid palm oil! This world will be a sadder and much less wondrous place without the wild.
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Sarah Simpson said:
Step one- educate the public
Many people don’t know about the affects palm oil has on wildlife. Even larger a lot of people don’t know that orangutans, tigers, and rhinos are critically endangered. If you have no clue, how can you care? We must educate and create awareness.
Spread the word , read your labels
Together we can make a difference
Ps palm oil is bad for you and makes you fat!
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Tj bailey said:
Bringing dark subjects to light can be a very difficult task. Most people tend to ignore situations simply because they don’t like what they are hearing. This is well written article to help inform the general public as well as making them interested in creating a positive impact on themselves and the world around them
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Reinhardt said:
Please help these beautiful creatures by doing one simple thing ,read a lable that’s it if it has palm oil in it don’t buy it its that simple there so many other products to choose from. It will be ashame and an embarrassment to let such creatures such as these be destroyed
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Teresa said:
This is such an excellent article….everyone should share this information. I was so surprised when I share this situation with people….they don’t have a clue this is happening. I personally find it devastating to realize the children of the future may never have the chance to try and save these amazing animals….as it is a real possibility…they will be gone forever!
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Dr David clark said:
Read the labels!!! You can not only help these amazing animals, you can help your own health. Palm oil is bad for you!
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Nathan said:
Tragic!!! How can people just stand by and watch this happen. In just the amount of time a persons spends on social media each day, they could write many emails to these companies using palm oil and do their part to try and bring awareness! Everyone please share this and take the time to make a difference for these amazing animals!!!
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John thurston said:
This is a great bit of info. I had no idea that this Palm oil problem was such a big deal. I will check my groceries.
Thx
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Elizabeth Felton said:
Very grateful to Rare Species Fund for their ongoing dedication to educating the public in regards to the plight of wild animals as well as their financial support of so many species across the globe.
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photo tiger said:
Ignorance is a true enemy to the animal kingdom. By choosing good aesthetics and
making a effort to save animals can only save ourselves from extinction of
any species of animals. As humans our job is to be a good steward of the earth
and the animal kingdom only to preserve history for generations to come.
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Save the Orangutan said:
http://www.theswitchreport.com.au/top-stories/boycotting-palm-oil-not-way-save-orangutans/
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Bhagavan Antle said:
I completely agree with this article. RSF does not subscribe to first world arrogance, nor ideologic “solutions” that lack step by step pragmatism. We fully support the work of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO).
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