Every year the world loses an estimated 25 million acres (10 million hectares) of forest, an area larger than the state of Indiana. Nearly all of it is in the tropics. Tropical #forests store enormous quantities of carbon and are home to at least two-thirds of the world’s living species, so #deforestation has disastrous consequences for #climatechange and conservation. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, slowing its buildup in the atmosphere – but when they are burned or logged, they release their stored carbon, fueling further warming. Tropical forest loss generates nearly 50% more greenhouse gases than does the global transportation sector. Take action to help rainforests and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Tag Archives: BoycottPalmOil
Research: Small room for compromise between oil palm cultivation and primate conservation in Africa
Research shows that future palm oil expansion is a major threat to Africa’s tropical forests and their rich primate biodiversity, Fight back boycott palm oil!
Humans and Bonobos Share Contagious Yawn Behaviour
Most of us have experienced the overwhelming urge to yawn in response to another person yawning – but we’re not the only species to do this. Research published in PeerJ shows that bonobos – our closest evolutionary cousins – also experience “yawn contagion”. Similarly to how yawning occurs in human beings, the effects of yawn contagion in bonobos is influenced by the quality of relationships shared between individuals.
The tendency for humans to mirror the behaviours and emotions of another – sometimes referred to as “emotional contagion” – is also thought to reflect our heightened capacity for empathy. Help all non-human primates to survive extinction and be #Vegan #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Research: Zoonotic Disease Outbreaks Linked to Forest Cover and Palm Oil Expansion
#Research finds that #deforestation is a major cause of #biodiversity loss with a negative impact on human health. Outbreaks of vector-borne #zoonotic #diseases are associated with increases in areas of #palmoil plantations.
African Forest Elephants’s Movements Depend on Their Personalities
African forest #elephants roam the dense rainforests of West and Central Africa where they subsist largely on a diet of fruit. They shape forests by dispersing fruit and seeds, browsing, and creating an extensive trail network. But because it’s difficult to track animals in thick forest, little is known about the movements of the AfricanContinue reading “African Forest Elephants’s Movements Depend on Their Personalities”
In the Atlantic Forest, the lowland tapir is at risk of extinction
Lowland tapir populations in the Atlantic Forest in South America are at risk of almost complete disappearance, scientists have estimated. Weighing up to 250 kg, the animal can adapt to most habitats in South America—but its populations continue to decline across their range. Take action for these beautiful irreplaceable animals every time you shop, be #vegan for forests, farmed animals and wild animals and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Divide and Intimidate: The Playbook of Palm Oil Landgrabs
The insidious playbook of palm oil companies “Promise, Divide, Intimidate and Coerce” reveals the 12 corrupt tactics used to grab community land in Africa
Artist and Indigenous Rights Advocate Barbara Crane Navarro
Artist Barbara Crane Navarro merges art and activism to defend the Amazon and Yanomami from destructive gold mining. Support #BoycottGold4Yanomami.
The Amazonian Royal Flycatcher: A flurry of feathers
The Amazonian Royal Flycatcher is a member of a family of birds called the tyrant flycatchers, which occur throughout North and South America. This is the biggest family of birds in the world, with more than 400 species. As the name implies, the majority of tyrant flycatchers are entirely insectivorous (though they do not necessarily specialise in flies), while the ‘tyrant’ part comes from the noisy, aggressively territorial behaviour of some species in the group. Help them to survive every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Meet Chimbu, the blue-eyed, bear-eared tree kangaroo
Tree kangaroos are so unusual that when Europeans first encountered them in Australia in 1872, back on the continent they were sceptical if they were real! Who would believe a #kangaroo could climb a tree? The Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo is an endangered species of the genus dendrolagus living in the Central Cordillera mountain ranges ofContinue reading “Meet Chimbu, the blue-eyed, bear-eared tree kangaroo”
Knobbed Hornbill Rhyticeros cassidix
Knobbed Hornbills are important seed dispersers in Indonesia. Known for their unique social nature, save this striking bird, when you shop boycott palm oil!
Greenwashing Tactic 10: Gaslighting, Harassment, Stalking and Threats
Gaslighting, harassing or stalking vocal critics of a brand, commodity or industry certification in order to silence these critics – this is greenwashing!
Ecuadorian White-fronted Capuchin Cebus aequatorialis
Ecuadorian White-fronted Capuchins face habitat loss to palm oil, hunting, and mining. Less than 10,000 remain. Support forest defenders. #BoycottPalmOil
Ten Tactics of ‘Sustainable’ Palm Oil Greenwashing
Learn ten marketing and PR tactics used for “sustainble” palm oil greenwashing to justify endless growth by the palm oil industry. Boycott palm oil now!
Greenwashing Tactic #1: Hidden Trade Off
When a brand makes token changes while continuing with deforestation, ecocide or human rights abuses in another part of their business – this is ‘Hidden Trade Off’
For example, Nestle talks up satellite monitoring to stop palm oil deforestation. Yet their deforestation continues to accelerate in spite of this – this is ‘Hidden Trade-Off”
Greenwashing Tactic #2: No Proof
Greenwashing Tactic 5. Palm oil companies make environmental claims without providing proof or evidence of these claims or using spurious evidence.
Greenwashing Tactic #4: Fake Labels
Claiming a brand or commodity is green based on unreliable, ineffective endorsements or eco-labels such as the RSPO, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or FairTrade coffee and cocoa. Greenwashing: Fake Labels and fake certifications Ecolabels are designed to reassure consumers that they are purchasing green or sustainable products. In reality the environmental standards are no betterContinue reading “Greenwashing Tactic #4: Fake Labels”
Greenwashing Tactic #6: The Lesser of Two Evils
Claiming that a brand, commodity or industry is greener than others in the same category, in order to excuse ecocide, deforestation, human rights and animal rights abuses. Jump to section Greenwashing: Lesser of Two Evils: Palm Oil Uses Less Land Than Other Crops Greenwashing messaging is pervasive by researchers Greenwashing messaging is pervasive on socialContinue reading “Greenwashing Tactic #6: The Lesser of Two Evils”
Laughs, Cries and Deception: The Complex Lives of Birds
#Birds can certainly get very angry – and the owner of a galah or corella would be well advised not to get near this bird when the head feathers are raised — but birds can be joyful and playful, can get depressed and, as studies have shown, a neglectful or bare environment can even make them pessimistic.
Birds may feel for others (have empathy) and even console them, may have a sense of justice, may show deep affection for their partner and grieve for their loss. I witnessed the mate of a fatally injured tawny frogmouth not moving from the spot next to their dead partner for three days, and then dying on the fourth. 🌴🩸🧐 Be #vegan for them! ❌ #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Zoologist and TV Presenter Dr George McGavin
Dr George McGavin FLS FRGS Hon. FSB Hon. FRES studied Zoology at Edinburgh University, followed by a PhD in entomology at Imperial College and the Natural History Museum in London. After 25 years as an academic at Oxford University he became an award-winning television presenter. George is an Honorary Research Associate of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and an Honorary Principal Research Fellow at Imperial College. George is also a Fellow of the Linnean Society and the Royal Geographical Society, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and an Honorary Life Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society. As well as his many TV documentaries, George has written numerous books on insects and other animals. In 2019 he became the President of the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
Binturong Arctictis binturong
You may smell a Binturong in the forest before you see them. They give off the aroma of buttered popcorn or cheesy crisps due to the a compound in their urine they use to attract mates. The binturong, Arctictis binturong, is a fascinating and rare mammal who roam the dense rainforests of Southeast Asia. Often called the “bearcat” due to their looks, binturongs are neither bears nor cats, but are more closely related to ferrets. With their prehensile tail, thick wiry fur, and a popcorn-like scent, these unique and irreplacible creatures play vital roles as seed dispersers, particularly for strangler figs (Ficus spp.), making them keystone species in their ecosystem.
Despite their ecological significance, the binturong is now classed as Vulnerable. Populations have plummeted due to habitat destruction, particularly for palm oil deforestation; along with illegal hunting, exploitation for the coffee market and the illegal bushmeat and pet trade. Protecting the majestic binturong requires urgent action to safeguard their rainforest home. Fight for them every time you use your wallet! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
What is greenwashing?
Learn how consumerism was engineered to fuel a hunger for more stuff and how greenwashing now masks true environmental harm. Discover the facts.
The Orangutan with the golden hair by Setia Budhi
The orangutan 🦧🧡 with the golden hair, a story by Setia Budhi about palm oil pesticides killing people and animals ☠️🤒🤮 Boycott palm oil 🌴🩸🚫🙊
Greenwashing Tactic 9: Partnerships, Sponsorships and Research Funding
Greenwashing Tactic 9. Corporations use NGOs, Zoo partnerships, sponsorships, and research funding to give an industry or brand a ‘green image.
Greenwashing Tactic #3: Vagueness
Claiming a brand or commodity is ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ based on broad generalisations, unclear language or vague statements Jump to section Greenwashing: Vagueness in Language Greenwashing: Vagueness in certification standards Reality: Auditing of RSPO a failure Quote: EIA: Who Watches the Watchmen 2 (2019) Quote: Greenpeace: Destruction Certified (2021) Quote: EIA: Burning Questions the CredibilityContinue reading “Greenwashing Tactic #3: Vagueness”
Greenwashing Tactic #7: Lying
Greenwashing lies are falsifying support from authorities to back up claims or using spurious research data to back up the greenwashing, boycott palm oil!
Santa Marta White-fronted Capuchin Cebus malitiosus
Santa Marta White Fronted Capuchins are Colombian primates threatened by severe habitat loss from cattle ranching and palm oil. Boycott palm oil and meat!
Species Extinction: just how bad is it and why should we care?
This is arguably society’s biggest challenge, and arguably its biggest failure: the continuing loss of species from Earth. The massive impact we are having on the planet has firmly entrenched us in a period of our history commonly called the Anthropocene.
Background or “normal” rates of extinction vary through time but are typically in the order of one to two species per year. Current rates of extinction, however, are estimated to have reached 1000 to 10,000 times this rate. Help animals to survive when you shop and be #Vegan 🌿🍌🍇 #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🩸🤮☠️#Boycott4Wildlife
Sulawesi Hornbill Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus
The Sulawesi hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus) is a striking and large yellow and black bird endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia. Known for their unique vocalisations and social nature, including communal shared breeding practices, these medium-sized hornbills are integral to the rainforest ecosystem, acting as crucial seed dispersers for many important tree species.
Sadly, the Sulawesi hornbill is classified as Vulnerable due to habitat destruction from logging, agriculture, and palm oil plantations, as well as poaching for the illegal pet trade. Protecting their remaining rainforest habitats is essential to ensuring their survival. Fight for their survival every time you shop. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
For primates, having a mother helps them learn social skills
Wild #bonobos, like other Great #Apes and humans, spend long childhoods with their mothers, learning the social skills they need to function as emotionally stable members of their community. But orphaned bonobos at sanctuaries don’t have that kind of upbringing. Can they still learn the skills they need to get by in bonobo society? A study by Zanna Clay and Frans de Waal in PNAS found that the mother-infant bond is vital in developing healthy social and emotional skills. Help these mighty and intelligent primates when you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Palm Oil Detectives 