“Baby orangutan sleeping in an animals rescue center” by Frank Wouters is licensed under CC BY 2.0
We are facing a hideous genocide because some people want to destroy the world’s most diverse habitats and subsequently thousands of primates are about to die.
The main reason that this is occurring is called palm oil. Sounds familiar? You probably use it every day since it is an important ingredient in breadsticks, shampoos, toothpaste and chocolate.
Palm oil is popular because it is very cheap but people should be aware that its cost is far more expensive; and primates are paying for it.
What is actually happening is that vast expanses of untouched rainforests in countries like Borneo, Sumatra, Indonesia and Malasia are being destroyed and levelled, at a scale and speed which is horrifying. All of this is to make palm oil plantations.
The victims are always those who are weaker, we could be talking either about people or animals. What is even more important is that the large companies don’t even care about the crimes they are committing.
Deforestation workers are obliged to destroy any wildlife that stands in their way and this involves running over orangutans with logging trucks. Even if the animals are not immediately killed, they have nowhere to go and are often captured and sold.
In the past 20 years, 90% of the orangutan habitat has been destroyed
It’s a harsh truth that we are afraid to realize, but we should be aware of it and try doing something about it.
If the killing of the wildlife lasts, many wild animals may soon be extinct, such as the orangutans. Also, such fast deforestation could lead to tragic consequences to our climate due to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is something that affects us too, it’s the chain of life and we shouldn’t ignore that.
“Remains of Peat forest in Indragiri Hulu, Indonesia, to make way for palm oil plantation” by Aidenvironment is licensed under CC BY 2.0
What one could do to help is to simply stop buying products that include palm oil. It’s the simplest way to fight against it and not to mention that it is actually harmful for you heart.
Help the planet by helping yourself too
If the demand for these product reduces, and the companies recognize the boycott (try writing a letter to them explaining why you’ve stopped using the product), then they will be left with no choice but to either stop the use of palm oil in their products, or begin producing it in a sustainable system.
Certain companies have already decided to use only sustainable palm oil, so next time you use a product including palm oil, make sure you know how it was produced.
You can read more about it here.
Article cover photo
“Sumatran Orangutan” by Thorsten Bachner
via thinkinghumanity
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