Support Deforestation-Free Palm Oil

Palm oil is the world’s most widely produced vegetable oil. It can be found in almost 50% of the packaged foods we eat and in many shampoos, cosmetics, lotions and cleaning products. In the last decade, close to 80% of deforestation in the Sumatra peatlands was driven by the expansion of non-sustainable palm oil plantations, costing orangutans and other endangered wildlife valuable habitat they need to survive.

Because the palm oil industry is a significant economic driver for millions of people who live in Sumatra and Borneo, avoiding or boycotting palm oil is not the answer. The good news is oil palm can be grown without destroying rainforests.

The Zoo’s UNLESS Project is working to spread the word about palm oil and orangutans and to ensure that “sustainable” also means deforestation-free and traceable to the source. Many manufacturers have committed to using “certified sustainable palm oil” by 2015. Join us to make sure they follow through on their commitment and to get involved in action opportunities to save orangutans.