Orangutans: Clever, adorable primates that inhabit the forest areas in Indonesia and Malaysia. Whilst we know lots about this animal and its evolution throughout the ages, there remains one thing that we, as humans, aren’t as educated in; the future of this species, and many others, and the environmental impact all based on the mass deforestation occurring.
‘Between 1985 and 2005, the island lost about 850, 000 ha of forest per year. As a result, the Orangutan population was depleted so much so that even long term survival of the species is highly doubtful, even if by some miraculous feat the logging ceased. Along with the Orangutan, 222 species of mammals, around 400 reptile and amphibian species, 420 sedentary species of birds 19 species of fish 40 butterflies are endemic here; they exist here and here only.’1
So why cut down the trees and clear the land? To create plantations for palm oil that can be cultivated for global use in numerous industries ranging from food production to energy sources. Whilst the palm oil plantations support global food production, unfortunately, this isn’t a food source for the Orangutans. In fact, Orangutans, once spotted in plantations in search of food, are shot on site as a form of pest control.
One of the most interesting facts about all of this is that 70% of the wood which is cut and processed in Indonesia originates form illegal sources. Although the government in Jakarta has regulations set in place to prevent illegal tree-felling, the lack of ratification and consequence of those responsible for this destruction continues, overlooked by officials and military police that are a part of this corrupt industry. Not only this, but countries such as the US and Germany, make no effort to confiscate wood traded from Indonesia’s ‘wood barrens’ as a way of boycotting this ruthless, destructive industry.At the recent campaign launch Don’t Palm us Off held at Melbourne Zoo, we (Rachel Muraca, RSC Customer Service, Elizabeth Crow TBS Highpoint and I, Daniela Natale TBS Nothland), discovered that this is an issue that so many influential Australians are in strong support against. ‘Don’t Palm Us Off’ aims at lobbying FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand), to list palm oil as a specific ingredient on food packaging so that you, the consumer, can make an informed decision on whether or not to buy the products. At the moment, you can’t tell because it’s all listed under the term ‘Vegetable oils’. Without proper labeling, we can’t demand to have only sustainable palm oil as an ingredient in our food. ‘You have a right to know whether the products you buy contain palm oil. However without legislation change, palm oil will remain unlabelled and you will continue to push orangutans towards extinction.’2
Sign the petition here in lobbying FSANZ to list palm oil as an ingredient on food packaging.
For more information, visit:
• Palm Oil Action Group Australia
http://www.palmoilaction.org.au/
• Round Table for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
http://www.rspo.org/
• Australian Orang-utan Project
http://www.orangutan.org.au/
• Borneo Orangutan Survival
http://www.orangutans.com.au/
1 ‘Thinkers of the Jungle – The Orangutan Report’ Schuster, Smits, Ullal 2007 pg. 146
2 ‘Zoo.org.au/Palm oil’
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