Category Archives: News

Food Without Agriculture

Researchers argue food can be made without destroying rainforests, using alternative energy sources like microbes, yeast and CO2, saving animals and emissions

Green Dragontail Lamproptera meges

Green Dragontails could arguably be called the most exquisite and beautiful butterflies alive.

They flutter through sunlit patches of leaves near to streams and rivers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and northeastern India.

They are mostly black and white with a bright turquoise or light green band running roughly parallel to their abdomens.

Their forewings feature a stunning glass-like transparent triangle known as a hyaline. Their tail features a star-like galaxy pattern that glints in sunlight.

It has been over a decade since they were last surveyed, their range overlaps significantly with areas already cleared for palm oil. Help their survival and use your wallet as a weapon! #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Green Lie of “Sustainable” Aviation Biofuel

“Sustainable” Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a biofuel alternative to using fossil fuels for powering planes and cars. SAF is being aggressively marketed by multiple industries as a greener alternative to burning fossil fuels in cars and airplanes.

However, SAF is produced from food crops such as rapeseed, palm oil, soy and sugar cane. This requires vast swathes of land to grow. This also means mass deforestation of land that is rich in biodiversity, putting at risk already threatened animals and plants and indigenous peoples all over the world. Emissions from palm oil-derived biodiesel are three times higher than fossil fuel diesel. According to Transport & Environment EU food-based biodiesel leads to around 80% higher emissions than the fossil fuel diesel that it replaces. Read on to find out how you can take action.

Palm Oil Deforestation and Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes

A 2023 study published in Nature has found that cutting down rainforest to grow palm oil makes it easier for certain disease-carrying bugs like Aedes albopictus mosquitoes to thrive.

The study looks at how these changes in land use affect the local weather and environment, which in turn makes it easier for the mosquitoes to complete their life cycle.

Specifically, turning forests into palm oil plantations can increase the chances of these mosquitoes growing by about 11%, which drops to around 5% as the palm oil plants mature. This could lead to more frequent outbreaks of diseases carried by these mosquitoes.

Aedes albopictus is known to transmit pathogens and viruses, such as the Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Chikungunya fever and Usutu virus.

The study suggests careful policy-making and planning is urgently needed to assess how we use land, balancing the need for palm oil farming.

There are strong inherent risks to public health from palm oil agriculture and vector-borne diseases. #Boycottpalmoil

Nicobar pigeon Caloenas nicobarica

The Nicobar pigeon is the largest pigeon in the world and the closest living relative to the extinct dodo bird. They are famous for their gorgeous iridescent feathers. When threatened they make a pig-like grunt and are known for the strange way that they drink – by dunking their heads into water and sucking it up instead of sipping as other birds do. They are Near Threatened from palm oil deforestation on the Nicobar and Andaman Islands in #India along with hunting and the pet trade. Help their survival and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket.

Mandrill Mandrillus sphinx

Magnificent #mandrills are undoubtedly one of the world’s most photogenic monkeys – famous for their brightly coloured and expressive appearance. Their bright blue rumps and vivid red, yellow and pink faces become even more deeply colourful when they’re excited. Males use their extra long canines for self-defence, but exposing their teeth can also be a sign of friendliness. Mandrills are important seed dispersers and a critical part of keeping the ecosystem in balance. These beautiful monkeys are vulnerable from palm oil, meat and cocoa deforestation and intensive poaching. Help their survival and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Vegan Palm Oil Free Christmas Recipes

Boycott palm oil this Christmas 🎅🎄 with 10 yummy, #palmoilfree and #Vegan  #recipes 🦧🦏🐘🐒🐍 and your #health 🥦🍆 #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Indigenous Farming: Science, Not Superstition

What does it mean when you encounter snakes slithering along paths or find a bird nest with eggs? For Indigenous peoples in Malaysia, these are tell-tale signs passed down by their ancestors discouraging them from using the land. Instead, they must protect the area from unscrupulous developments. 

Margay Leopardus wiedii

Graceful, athletic and beautiful feline of the Amazon jungle, margays are small wild cats endemic to South and Central America. Every margay has a unique spotted pattern on their coat. They depend heavily on the rainforest canopy for hunting small mammals, reptiles and amphibians and are thought to mimic the call of the pied tamarin in order to hunt for them. Deforestation for #palmoil, soy and meat along with illegal poaching are devastating to them. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Rethinking Climate and Extinction Crises

Capturing people’s attention about the #climate and #extinction crises is a challenge. Causes mostly move slowly, without the flashy drama that can focus our minds in the midst of 24-hour news cycles and social media distractions. The Netflix film Don’t Look Up cleverly captures humans’ inability to come together to counter such a common existential threat. To change this, we must develop a “slow memory” that can help us care about and act on slow change. Help to fight against extinction when you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Philippine Sailfin Lizard Hydrosaurus pustulatus

Stunning bright coloured Philippine sailfin lizards are becoming more and more rare from palm oil deforestation across their range in #WestPapua #Philippines and eastern #Indonesia. They are also threatened by hunting and the pet trade. Males turn a dark violet colour during mating season and flare their extravagant sail-like fins to announce their mating prowess. They have a third eye on the top of their head which enables them to sense sunlight. Help them survive and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Reptiles Facing Extinction: How to Help

#Reptiles are fascinating creatures who are sadly feared, misunderstood and persecuted by humans. It is high time that we stand up for #lizards, #snakes, #terrapins, #crocodiles, caimans, #turtles and more.

Many of these fascinating creatures are feared by humans and inhabit hard-to-traverse places such as swamps. Compared with birds, amphibians and mammals, there is little data available on the distribution, population size and extinction risk of reptiles. This has meant that wildlife conservationists have largely helped reptiles indirectly in the past by meeting the needs of other animals (for food and habitat for example) living in similar places. Here’s how we stand up for them #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Goliath Frog Conraua goliath

Goliath #Frogs are the largest frog in the world and can grow as large as a domestic cat. These muscle-bound #amphibians lift heavy rocks to build nests and protect their young. They face extinction from #palmoil #deforestation and human persecution including hunting.

Their nesting and reproduction is hugely dependent upon access to clean, fast-flowing rivers – for this reason the encroachment of industrial scale palm oil, cocoa and timber deforestation and p0llution and #pesticides of rivers are direct threats to the existence of the goliath #frog. Help them every time you shop in the supermarket and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Child Labour and Debt Bondage: A Reality For ‘Sustainable’ Palm Oil

According to a new report from the Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) at the International Labour Organization (ILO). About 80% of the world’s poor live in rural areas where they face a myriad of human rights problems which hamper their ability to survive.

Problems include inadequate safety at work, low pay, lack of stability and security of work, and excessive working hours, with women and young workers.

Terrifying Tale of Halloween: Palm Oil Ecocide in Your Treats!

This #Halloween, as you revel in terrifying tales and creepy costumes, remember that the most terrifying tale of all isn’t enjoyable folklore—it’s the horrifying truth about palm oil. This ingredient causes #deforestation, #ecocide, #humanrights abuses and #indigenous land-grabbing. The production of #palmoil casts a dark shadow over our planet, as it can only be grown on destroyed tropical rainforests. So-called “sustainable” palm oil used by the world’s biggest food brands like Nestle, Mondelez, Hersheys, Ferrero and Mars is a complete greenwashing lie. So don’t buy any of it! All palm oil threatens the very existence of wildlife, polluting our air and water, accelerates climate change, and tramples on the rights of indigenous communities worldwide. This Halloween, take action and use your wallet as a weapon. 🌍🌳🦍 #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise Lophorina superba

Male superb-bird’s-of-paradise are the dramatic actors of #NewGuinea’s rainforest. They use their lush, multicoloured plumage to change shape in an elaborate dancing courtship display that typically goes on for many hours for the sole benefit of a female #bird. At the end of the dancing ritual, the female will get to choose her mate between 15-20 male #birds. These magnificent birds are struggling to survive, hemmed in on all sides by #hunting, #palmoil, gold mining and timber #deforestation throughout their range. Help their survival every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket!

African Manatee Trichechus senegalensis

In the folklore of West Africa, there’s a fascinating character called Maame Water, believed to be a goddess of the sea, she symbolises wealth and beauty. Maame Water is none other than the African Manatee!

The Serer people of Senegal, the Gambia, and Mauritania hold the African Manatee in high regard, considering them sacred and a guardian of the secrets of the future according to their creation myth. This precious species is vulnerable from palm oil deforestation, hunting and pollution. They perform an essential service to mangrove ecosystems by keeping them healthy. Help them survive and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop!

Northern Muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus

Northern Muriquis (AKA Woolly Spider Monkeys) have a striking light brown and golden fur and are known for their rattling vocalisations. They live in large communities and act as critical seed dispersers in the Atlantic forest. There are fewer than 800 individuals left alive and they are critically endangered. Their main threats are palm oil, meat and soy deforestation in Brazil, along with illegal hunting. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife

Choose Indigenous Trees Over Palm Oil In India

India is pushng palm oil growth, a massive mistake for local biodiversity, land rights and climate change, Indians should resist and Boycott palm oil!

Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata

The yellow-casqued hornbill is one of the most remarkable hornbills in the world and one of the largest birds in the rainforests of West Africa weighing up to two kilos. Sporting a shock of russet coloured feathers and a striking blue coloured face, they prefer to live high up in the rainforest canopy in Côte d’Ivoire, #Ghana, #Liberia, Mali and #SierraLeone. Their main threat is hunting and human persecution and they are possibly extinction now in some countries. Recent mass deforestation for #mining, #palmoil, #cocoa and #meat is also a threat and they are now classified as #vulnerable. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil, #Boycott4Wildlife

Shoebill Balaeniceps rex

With their intense stare and imposing appearance, prehistoric birds Shoebills number fewer than 8000 in the wild. Save them when you boycott palm oil!

Indian Rhinoceros (Greater One-horned Rhino) Rhinoceros unicornis

The largest of the three rhino species in Asia, the Indian Rhino has a distinctive and unique armour-plated look which lends them a fairytale quality that has captivated admirers for aeons. Although Indian rhino numbers have climbed over the past decades due to conservation, they are under imminent threat from the expansion of palm oil deforestation in the Assam region of India. A protected national park there is earmarked for destruction. Use your wallet as a weapon every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Juanchi Pérez is a talented and well-established designer, illustrator and artist from Ecuador who captures the soulful presence of rare rainforest animals near his home.

He is passionate about sharing the magnificent animals and plants of his bountiful homeland with the world. Together with his beautiful wife and daughter, he founded art and giftware brand Zigze several years ago.

300,000 Trees Tracked: Are Losing Their Power to Help Us

Tropical forests matter to each and every one of us. They suck colossal quantities of carbon out of the atmosphere, providing a crucial brake on the rate of climate change. Yet a statistical model in this study has estimated that by 2030 the African forests’ capacity to remove carbon will decrease by 14%, while Amazonian forests may stop removing carbon dioxide altogether by 2035. What can you do? Use our wallet as a weapon and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycottmeat #Boycott4Wildlife

Bonobo Pan paniscus

Bonobos share 98% of their DNA with humans and are one of our closest extant relatives. They are complex beings with intricate social relationships, they demonstrate profound intelligence and emotional sensitivity.

It is therefore fitting that 14th of February, Valentine’s Day is also the International Day to celebrate Bonobos – Bonobos provide a potent example to humans for how we can resolve conflicts through love and non-violent conflict resolution. They are endangered in DRC/Congo from infectious diseases, illegal poaching and deforestation for palm oil, cocoa and meat and mining throughout their home range. Help their survival every time you shop – be vegan and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Africa is becoming the new frontier for oil-palm plantations, which offers excellent economic prospects in countries with appropriate rainfall, soil and temperature conditions (Rival and Levang 2014). A staggering 99.2% of the Bonobo’s range is suitable for oil palm (Wich et al. 2014), highlighting the enormous risk the palm-oil industry will pose unless sustainable management plans are developed and implemented to protect great apes and their habitats (IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group 2014).

Op-Ed: Preserving a Habitable Earth by Julian Cribb

Renowned and prolific science communicator and author Julian Cribb writes this op-ed piece for Palm Oil Detectives. He addresses the world’s most pressing needs for survival as we descend into the pointy end of the Anthropocene era.

Julian outlines a dozen direct and actionable solutions for preserving a healthy and habitable earth. These are taken from his interviews with the world’s brightest minds. For a more in-depth analysis, be sure to grab a copy of his most recent book, published this year – ‘How to Fix a Broken Planet’

Research: Certifying Palm Oil as “Sustainable” Is No Panacea

University of Michigan research reveals that RSPO certification is associated with deforestation and human rights abuses in Guatemala. Boycott palm oil! The results of this paper show that these plantations were responsible for 28% of the region’s deforestation, and RSPO-certified plantations did not significantly reduce deforestation. The study links this deforestation to the supply chains of major brands: Pepsico, Mondelēz International, and Grupo Bimbo, who rely on RSPO-certified supplies.

As a consumer you can make a difference every time you shop, use your wallet as a weapon and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Brown Howler Monkey Alouatta guariba

You will hear a Brown Howler #Monkey before you sere one. Heard from several kilometres away these monkeys have a haunting howl that penetrates and rustles the forest canopy. They live in groups between two and eleven individuals and take respite during the heat of the day in the Atlantic forests of #Brazil and #Argentina. Despite their prehensile tails and graceful gait they face enormous threats, mainly from palm oil, soy and meat deforestation, yellow fever virus and human persecution. Help them every time you shop when you #BoycottGold #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Australia must not be a dumping ground for palm oil made from slavery: The Australian Greens

The recently released Global Slavery Index reveals that Australia risks importing goods amounting to US $17.4 billion, which are suspected to be produced via forced labour.

A ban of these goods from Australia was proposed by the Australian Greens, who along with several community organisations, are urging the Labor Party to prioritise this change following a report from the outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.