Introduction
In this article, I’m going to explain why Palm oil is so prevalent in our goods varying from; food to cleaning products. As well as the direct and indirect effects that correspond with deforestation. The impacts of Palm oil include the loss of biodiversity and the effect of pollution on the environment.
Resulting in millions of families losing their jobs and inherently their source of income. Moral ambiguity is one that forever, will be abundant in the largely capitalistic world we live in today. These industries contribute massively towards local communities, as a source of jobs. This in turn provides the community with financial stability, clothes, shelter and food.
Stopping the production of these goods will have a disastrous impact on many countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesian economies. As a result of countries’ and communities’ dependence and financial ties to the commodification of Palm oil.
What is Palm oil?
Palm oil is a widely used vegetable oil, due to its efficiency and versatility. It can be harvested year-round and is largely accessible. Whilst, 84% of Palm oil production comes from Indonesia and Malaysia. There are currently 42 countries that also produce it.
Palm oil is imported across the whole globe, and is used in
- Foods: 68% of Palm oil is used in foods ranging from margarine to chocolate, pizzas, bread and cooking oils;
- Industrial applications: 27% is used in industrial applications and consumer products such as soaps, detergents, cosmetics and cleaning agents;
- Bioenergy: 5% is used as biofuels for transport, electricity or heat.
Deforestation and Public Health Concerns
Palm oil plantations account for 2.3% or 5.6 million hectares of global deforestation. However, figures up to 8% have also been reported. Unfortunately, the consequence of deforestation has led to a loss in biodiversity, endangering animals. For example, the Orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran Rhino, Bornean Pygmy and Sumatran Elephant.
Deforestation results in carbon dioxide production, polluting the atmosphere. Therefore, increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
A common method of deforestation involves the controlled burning down of these forests. This production of air pollution reduces the air quality of the local citizens and biodiversity.
Gases produced during deforestation
- Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and (PM10)
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Ozone (O3)
These gases have a variety of public health concerns including their link to an increase in cardiorespiratory diseases. This has caused both short-term and long-term health implications.
A study released by the PMC looks at the long-term health effects of peatland fires in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. They found that the methods used caused forest fires to continue longer than originally desired.
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 from peat fires and smoke causes 648 premature mortality cases per year. 55 were due to chronic respiratory diseases, 266 were due to cardiovascular diseases and 95 were due to lung cancer.
Financial implications of Palm oil Production
Unfortunately, the banning/restriction of importing these goods would result in millions losing their jobs in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. Therefore, the industry plays a large role in reducing poverty and increasing economic growth in these countries.
Efforts have been made to make it more sustainable through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO are the largest, independent, third-party standard for the sustainable production of Palm oil.
Companies wanting this accreditation must meet and comply with their environmental and social criteria to have Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) certification.
Approximately, 17% of Palm oil production is met under these criteria. This is reassuring knowing efforts are being made to reduce negative long-term consequences. There’s still a long journey to go, in protecting biodiversity and other consequences of climate change.
As listed by the WWF palm Oil makes appearances under the following names:
Vegetable Oil, Vegetable Fat, Palm Kernel, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Fruit Oil, Palmate, Palmitate, Palmolein, Glyceryl, Stearate, Stearic Acid, Elaeis Guineensis, Palmitic Acid, Palm Stearine, Palmitoyl Oxostearamide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Kernelate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Lauryl Lactylate/Sulphate, Hyrated Palm Glycerides, Etyl Palmitate, Octyl Palmitate, Palmityl Alcohol.
How to reduce your consumption of these goods
- Avoid buying products containing Palm oil, if unavoidable look for the RSPO certification on food and beauty products.
- Signing petitions and spreading the word of mouth about the implications Palm oil products have on the environment.
We live in a morally ambiguous world, These practices have many global implications and impact our environment and our health. However, it’s necessary to acknowledge the financial and social impact this has on millions of families in countries, like Indonesia and Malaysia.
With these solutions in mind, do what you can by avoiding products that include the ingredients above or you can seek out what products are RSPO-certified.
Supporting sustainable practices is a great way to be the change in this world!
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