The world has been rocked by devastating fires tearing through Indonesia, killing ancient rainforest, endangered animals and putting the lives of millions of people at risk in the area.

The recent fires will have a catastrophic impact on global warming with the equivalent CO2 emissions to those produced in a year by the United States of America. The Orangutang, Sumerian Tiger and many more species could be wiped out from existence. And for what? Cheap chocolate? Cooking oil?

Palm oil is one of the most destructive crops on the planet. Companies deliberately destroy acres of forest for this plant to fuel Western demand for coffee, cooking fat and chocolate. Images of shocking animal abuse has covered the Internet, with plantation workers beating and burning animals who are considered 'pests' by the industry.

What's at stake here? Animals that have been here for million of years will be extinct, gone forever. The loss of rainforest would have a catastrophic effect on ecosystems and climate patterns around the world. They are the world's lungs. Without the rainforests, our species is on borrowed time.

All of this can be stopped. First and foremost, don't buy anything that contains or has used palm oil products. Secondly, encourage the UK government to uphold is value in the environment and ban the import of all palm oil and palm oil related products. There are better, cheaper and ethical alternatives out there. Change has to happen, and fast.