The Palm Oil Crisis and Orangutans
One of the biggest threats to orangutans in the wild is loss of habitat due to illegal logging and unsustainable agriculture. As the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra are cleared for palm oil plantations – through illegal logging or widespread burning – the already small orangutan population becomes even smaller. Orangutans are not the only species to suffer from the destruction of rainforest in Borneo and Sumatra. Many other animal species are increasingly threatened, including the Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian elephants, and Sumatran tiger.
Palm oil is in demand as an ingredient in baked goods, candies and other consumer goods and is found in 1 out of 10 supermarket products. Many manufacturers favor palm oil because it is low in trans fat—and allows them to label their products “no trans fat” in order to appeal to increasingly health-conscious consumers. (Palm oil is high, however, in saturated fats—which, like trans fat, can increase the risk of heart attack.) Whatever human health claims manufacturers make about unsustainably-produced palm oil, the fact is that it’s deadly for the orangutan species. When palm oil plantations extend further and further into orangutans’ natural habitat, their food source is depleted and their tropical home destroyed.
Palm Oil Basics
So what exactly is palm oil? It’s an edible vegetable oil from the fruit of the oil palm tree. This tree can grow wherever heat and abundant rainfall are available. Although the palm is not native to Borneo and Sumatra, the climate allows it to flourish. Next to soybean oil, palm oil is the second-most widely produced edible oil. In addition to being used in cookies, crackers, and other snack items, palm oil is used in many cosmetics, bath products, and even pet food. It is also being considered for potential use as bio-fuel.
Climate Change and Agriculture
The destruction of rainforest in Borneo and Sumatra also threatens wildlife outside the region. Because of the enormous amount of carbon present in the rainforest trees and soil of this biologically diverse area, its destruction can only hasten the global climate crisis, which effects everything and everyone. As the demand for palm oil grows and destruction of rainforests through burning remains a quick way and profitable way to clear open areas of dense rainforest for palm oil production, more greenhouse gas is released into the atmosphere.
It’s a dire situation, but you can make a difference…
At this time, a variety of organizations are working to create standards for sustainable-yield palm oil. This is palm oil that is planted and harvested with consideration paid to the potential impact on plants, animals, and cultures. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is collaborating with producers, food manufacturers, and non-governmental organizations to promote the growth and consumption of sustainable palm. The RSPO is also working on soon-to-be-released consumer guidelines for choosing orangutan-friendly products. We’ll update our website with these guidelines as soon as they are available, so be sure to check back soon.
Until a sustainable palm oil guide is available, you can make a difference by avoiding products containing palm oil (as the vast majority of products with palm oil currently contain the unsustainable variety). Check labels for palm oil, and for the other common names for palm oil, including “palmate,” “palm kernel oil” and “Elaeis guineensis.”
Another way to support orangutan conservation is to avoid purchasing wood products, lumber, furniture, or picture frames made from illegally-logged rainforest mahogany or teak. Most mahogany and teak are unsustainably-logged from endangered rainforests. Look instead for wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.