Ever since I was a little boy, I've always loved nature and animals. In fact, I took great pride in knowing specific species of animals and which part of the world they resided in. This ultimately led the way for me to become a geographic expert.
Being knowledgeable about the conservation and population status of different species was also something that I tried to stay on top of. However, even with my love for animals and the environment, I struggled with finding a way to make a difference, which was something that always plagued me. Until one day it dawned on me that having a blog isn't just for adults, I can have one too! Finally, I can make a difference and help save natural environments, even if they are 9,000 miles away.
Realizing that I can't "boil the ocean", I decided it would be best to focus on what I am most passionate about...the palm oil crisis. In this blog, I will be delving into the devastating effects of palm oil on the Southeast Asian environment and building consumer awareness of the issues surrounding this tropical vegetable oil. In fact, it shocks me how little the palm oil crisis is publicized in the United States. I consider myself a fairly knowledge person on topics related to global environmental issues, however, it took me over 14 years to even learn about the impact of Palm Oil!
Here's the video that first introduced me to palm oil. It broke my heart and was an impetus for action. Check it out!
Network, Rainforest Action. “AMAZING! Orangutan Asks Girl for Help in Sign Language.” YouTube, YouTube, 9 Oct. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=G32YehcdUAw.
Goals of this Blog:
Awareness - To educate as many individuals as possible about palm oil's damaging environmental effects.
Positive Environmental Impact - To make as much of a difference as I can in an environmental crisis happening on the other side of the globe.
Education - To assist consumers in understanding how to refrain from using palm oil based products. Teach individuals what to scan for in ingredient lists, identify what products are sustainably certified, and provide alternative palm oil free products.
Alternatives - To convince consumers to abstain from purchasing palm oil based products and proactively seek out alternatives. For example: instead of purchasing palm oil filled products such as Oreos (which is by far the hardest product to stop people from buying) consider Whole Foods Store Brand 365 Everyday Value, Sandwich Cremes, which are palm oil free.