STOP Deforestation for Palm Oil!

[Triana]

Orangutan survival and the shopping trolley - from BBC Panorama:

The Indonesian government admits that 50,000 orangutans have died as a result of de-forestation. A BBC Panorama investigation into clear-cutting in Indonesian Borneo - the island it shares with Malaysia - found that the thirst for land on which to plant palm plantations is encroaching on areas that the Indonesian government has deemed to be off-limits.

The challenge of saving the orangutan - man's closest relative - from extinction is trickling down to the weekly shop.

Many of the biscuits, margarines, breads, crisps and even bars of soap that consumers pick off supermarket shelves contain an ingredient that is feeding a growth industry that conservationists say is killing the orangutans.

The mystery ingredient in the mix is palm oil - the cheapest source of vegetable oil available - and one that rarely appears on the label of most products.

Palm oil is grown on land that was once home to the vast rainforests of Borneo, and the natural habitat of the orangutan.

"I think its really about what consumers can do because the most powerful message that can be sent to companies is from their consumers about what it is they want to buy."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_8523000/8523999.stm

THIS ALERT sent from http://www.rainforestsos.org.

[Triana]

1. "They" won't do it. We are on our own.

“I respect the secrets and magic of nature. That’s why it makes me so angry when I see these things that are happening in the world: that every second I hear the size of a football field is torn down in the Amazon. That kind of stuff really bothers me. That’s why I write these kinds of songs you know, to get some sense of awareness and awakening and hope to people.

I love – I love the planet. I love trees – I have this thing for trees and the color and changing of leaves…I LOVE it! I respect those kind of things. I really feel that nature is trying to compensate for man’s mismanagement of the planet. The planet is sick – like a fever! If we don’t fix it now its at the point of no return. This is our last chance to fix this problem that we have or its like a runaway train.

The time has come, “This is It”. People are always saying: “Oh they- they’ll take care of it.” “The government will d-they’ll” They who? It starts with us. US. Or else it’ll never be done.“