Palm oil is used in a variety of household items. For example lipstick, shampoo, ice cream, soap, biodiesel, etc. all contain palm oil, often for its shiny finish or protection from rising or low temperatures. Although palm oil can be very useful around the kitchen, it is detrimental to the environment. Every tree that is cut down emits carbon into the air, contributing to the harmful greenhouse gases that are influencing the climate change. Animals are losing habitat and natural resources, and forests are being demolished and something needs to be done about it.

Since the demand for palm oil has been increasing as we grow as consumers, it recently has become a concern for the tropical areas these trees are removed from. Forests that contain palm oil, also contain a list of endangered species that inhabit them like Rhinos and Tigers, along with hundreds of other species grazing the areas for its natural resources. These include Malaysia and Indonesia for mass production (Approximately 90% of where oil palm trees grow) and smaller amounts are scattered around Asia, Latin America and West Africa (about 10%).When these areas are cut or burned down, the animals living there are forced to move into smaller sections of still existing tropical forests. This leads to a chain reaction of hunting and being hunted, since these animals are forced to live in unfamiliar and crowded areas. Diminishing natural resources is hurtful to not only the animals inhabiting the forests, but it hurts the entire planet.

The act of cutting or burning large areas of forests is called deforesting. I have been very passionate to learn more about this, in efforts to help companies find healthier and safer means of doing business. I have taken part in many petitions boycotting brands or goods that are detrimental to areas of concern like rain forests or the homes of the endangered. Deforesting causes extensive damage to the effected areas due to soil erosion and soil and water pollution, so regrowth typically takes over 100 years which is too late to save some of the extremely endangered species living in these parts now. I believe in the importance of sharing my thoughts and ideas with my peers in order to spread awareness and to get people thinking about what they can do for the planet. 

Instead of boycotting the use of palm oil, which would be nearly impossible because it is in about half of all packaged items sold at supermarkets, there are stickers and tags that indicate a “greener” use while minimizing it’s damaging effects. Looking for a sticker with the title RSPO (Rountable on Sustainable Palm Oil) will help promote these products and the use of sustainable palm oil will eventually become a norm. Products with this sticker include skincare products/brands, foods and some supermarkets have even followed the motive behind selling sustainable palm oil products. Walmart, Nestle, Johnson-Johnson, Hersheys, Kellogs, Loreal, Starbucks, The Body Shop and many more are all committed to the use of 100% RSPO certified sustainable palm oil according to a study done June 2015. If you cannot find that sticker or tag, RSPO also sponsors the “Green Palm Sustainability” sticker which delivers the same purpose. 

Sustainable Palm oil is grown and produced in palm oil plantations that follow strictly to the environmental standards presented by the RSPO. This makes the process much safer and also aids to the workers in Malaysia and Indonesia and biodiversity, while we continue to attain the many wonders of palm oil. 

Heres a video more about palm oil production : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BRGj0DwYwA

I hope you understand the effects on our planet and that there are many ways you can help; even a little bit goes a long way. Think a little bit more about what you purchase at stores and supermarkets if you want to help save animals and delay the effects on the planet. There’s no escaping the damage we have already done, so i am hoping my efforts will inspire you to do more for our planet everyday. Thank you