The benefits, social and environmental impact and what we can do about it
Palm oil is one of the most contentious products, since many studies have warned of its damaging effects on health and the environmental and social harm that its production entails. We’ll run you through everything you need to know about palm oil, the dangers of its use and the yields that contain it.
About Palm Oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis Guineensis). It has in recent times become one of the world’s most widely-produced oils and is a key element in many beauty products.
It is grown in tropical countries, where it frequently represents an important base for limited economies.
Indonesia and Malaysia believe 85% of world production, although it is also grown in Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Thailand, Cambodia, Brazil, Mexico and West Africa.
Its plantation is linked in Southeast Asia with the deforestation of tropical forests, the appropriation of lands of aboriginal communities, human rights abuses and death of specimens of animals such as elephants, orangutans and tigers from Sumatra.
More than 50,000 orangutans have already died due to the deforestation of their forests for the plantation of oil palm trees, often burned alive. Indonesia is one of the hardest hit, having the highest deforestation rate in the world.
Much of the palm oil is developed on plantations that are the end result of devastating deforestation. The palm industry in South East Asia is causing the damage of Orangutans and their environmental eco-systems, and it is completely unnecessary.
So we should use alternatives instead.
Better Alternatives
Olive oil and Coconut oil
Our desire to source and produce ethically to achieve only the best ingredients for our skincare and our environment.
Pollution and Global Warming:
With the use of palm oil free skincare, we can reduce pollution and global warming. The production of palm oil is also responsible for the emission of large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
To eliminate forests and open land to palm plantations, fires are often caused, particularly in tropical peat bogs, which store more carbon per unit area than any other ecosystem in the world.
Forest fires release carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change.
Why Palm Oil Free Is Important
Palm oil plantation production is the evil of the Earth. The amount of deforestation, displaced humans and animals, slave labour, and emissions from the machinery and factories it causes is mind-blowing. All for the sake of reducing the cost of products.
Palm oil is cheap oil. The majority of soap makers use it because it keeps their costs down so they make more money. Yes, it produces a hard bar of soap but so do other more skin-friendly oils.
Save Endangered Species:
Palm oil free skincare also helps save endangered species by reducing deforestation.
To do this, simply choose a soap, shampoo or washing machine detergent that does not contain palm oil.
Palm oil plantations displace and destroy wildlife and indigenous communities. The illegal hunting of animals to give way to plantations and the violation of human rights make it difficult to use skincare products made from this "conflictive" palm oil.
How To Know?
Check the ingredients on the back of the container, and remember that palm oil can get other names, such as Vegetable Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Palmitic Acid And Glyceryl Stearate Palm, Palmitate, Palm Oil, Palmolein, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Elaeis Guineensis, And Sodium Kernelate.
Reducing the use of palm oil can be extremely beneficial (from the conservation of natural habitats of rare species, to the protection of the human rights of indigenous peoples).
However, the greatest benefit may be the following message for all who benefit from the palm oil industry: the destruction of tropical forests and their inhabitants must stop.
Since palm oil is in 50% of the products we consume in the supermarket. The solution, try not to consume prefabricated food, industrial pastries, etc. Run away from makeup, creams and industrial soaps and consume natural and organic cosmetics.
Conclusion:
In short, palm oil is causing an ecological disaster in many countries of the planet. To learn more about Palm Oil, visit: www.org.au
