McDonald's, Burger King, Yum Brands (Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut) and other members of the fast food industry are often the focus of negative attention for the effect on our heath, but did you know they are also having a big effect on our climate?

America's top fast food brands use palm oil, an ingredient linked to climate change and deforestation, in their products. As tropical forests are cleared to make way for palm oil plantations, carbon is released into the atmosphere, driving global warming and shrinking habitats for endangered species. Tropical deforestation currently accounts for about 10 percent of the world's heat-trapping emissions.

The good news is that two of the country’s largest fast food chains, Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Brands (who owns both Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins), just pledged to buy deforestation-free palm oil.  The rest of the fast food industry should also set the bar high and make a firm commitment to use only deforestation-free palm oil.

Tell America's largest fast food chains, including McDonald's, Burger King, Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut), Wendy’s, Starbucks, Dairy Queen, Domino’s, Subway, and CKE Restaurants (Hardee's, Carl's Jr., La Salsa, and Green Burrito), that—for the sake of our atmosphere, tropical forests, and endangered species—the time to act is now.