Palm oil production is a major threat to orangutans and their habitats:
Deforestation: Palm oil production causes deforestation, which destroys the
habitats of orangutans and other species.
Endangered species: Orangutans are endangered, with fewer than 80,000
remaining. The Bornean orangutan is endangered, while the Sumatran
orangutan is critically endangered.
Wildlife impact: Palm oil is harmful to wildlife, including orangutans and
tigers.
Here's some more information about palm oil and orangutans:
Palm oil production: Indonesia and Malaysia produce more than 85% of the
world's palm oil.
Palm oil products: Palm oil is used in many products, including food,
cosmetics, and soap.
Orangutan diplomacy: Malaysia is planning an "orangutan diplomacy" program
to target countries that buy its palm oil. The program may include giving
critically endangered animals to these countries.
Palm oil alternatives: Other vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, can cause
similar environmental harm to palm oil.
Palm Oil Scan: The Palm Oil Scan mobile app from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
provides resources to help consumers become informed about the palm oil
crisis.
‘Orangutan capital of the world’
The Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve has been described as the “orangutan
capital of the world” because it’s home to the densest population of
critically endangered Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) anywhere on the
island: 1,500 recorded individuals, or 10% of the species’ total
population.The reserve is also home to some of the last remaining intact
habitat for critically endangered Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris
sumatrae), rhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and elephants (Elephas maximus
sumatranus), and is among the top priority landscapes for conservation in
the world because of its carbon-rich peat soils. Yet despite the reserve’s
critical importance, large swaths of it continue to be destroyed for
industrial agriculture, primarily oil palms. Much of this is driven by
well-connected local elites, mirroring the larger trend across Indonesia,
according to U.S.-based NGO Rainforest Action Network (RAN), which monitors
the Leuser Ecosystem, of which Rawa Singkil is a part. And illegal palm oil
from this nationally protected ecosystem ends up in the supply chains of
the world’s biggest traders of the commodity, like Musim Mas and Wilmar, as
well as global brands like Procter & Gamble (P&G), Nestlé, PepsiCo and
Unilever, according to RAN.In 2022, the national park lost 179 hectares
(442 acres) of forest, the lowest rate since HAkA began monitoring
deforestation in the Leuser Ecosystem in 2015.RAN forest policy director
Gemma Tillack called the increase in forest loss in Rawa Singkil
“alarming.”“This continued destruction places critically endangered species
like the Sumatran orangutan at risk of extinction in the wild,” she told
Mongabay.“In some cases, we found these encroachers burn areas that have
non-forest status, but they also burn [land] in the wildlife reserve,” he
said last September. “We often have difficulty extinguishing the fires [in
the reserve] because of the fires on the non-forest lands.” Tillack said
RAN last year noticed an increase in deforestation within the reserve from
satellite monitoring, and thus sent investigators to the field. They found
a substantive amount of forest clearing around the two illegal plantations.
“[The deforestation is] presented as a smallholder problem, that it’s the
community doing it,” Tillack said. “But it’s not, it’s the local elites
that are these influential individuals that are behind this clearing.” She
said the case of these two plantations is only the tip of the iceberg, as
there are an estimated 300 hectares (740 acres) of illegal plantations
within Rawa Singkil. RAN’s investigation also revealed that palm oil from
the two plantations ended up in the supply chains of major brands like P&G,
Mondelēz, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Nissin Foods, Unilever, Ferrero and
Colgate-Palmolive.
“There is no mechanism for assessing potential suppliers (Due Diligence);
no dedicated team running and monitoring the TTP process; and its data
collection of [palm fruit] suppliers is patchy and inconsistent,” GAR and
Wilmar concluded in their report on the case. “This is still an ongoing
project we are working on with our supplier,” the company said. These big
companies also need to invest and work collectively in monitoring and
protecting the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve from further destruction, she
said.The fact that illegal palm oil from protected areas like a wildlife
reserve can still make its way into the supply chains of major traders and
global brands that have adopted no-deforestation policies for years means
that the current system to trace palm oil to the plantation level and
protect forests is failing, Tillack said.
HOWEVER, IS THAT PALM OIL ONLY? NO SIR. SOYA AND SO MANY OTHERS DO FACE
THAT.
Soybean oil production can contribute to the destruction of natural
habitats and ecosystems, including rainforests, forests, savannahs, and
grasslands:
Deforestation
Soybean production has contributed to deforestation in many tropical
countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. In 2018,
Brazilian soy exports were linked to 500 sq km of deforestation.
Endangered species
Soybean production endangers vulnerable species that are often found
nowhere else in the world.
Water pollution
Intensive agricultural practices used to produce soybeans can lead to water
pollution.
Local livelihoods
Soybean production can put local livelihoods at risk.
Soya and the environment: what you need to know - Greenpeace UK
The environmental impact of soy production is different depending on
whether the soy is grown for animal feed or human consumption. The
environmental impact of soy grown for animal feed is much greater than that
of soy grown for human consumption.
Some initiatives are working to reduce the environmental impact of soy
production, including:
This project aims to improve the productivity and nutritional value of soy,
and make it more resilient to climate change.
Adani Wilmar
This company is committed to sourcing 100% of its soy oil from suppliers
with a publicly announced sustainability policy.
What are soybean products?
Soybean products refer to food items such as tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and
processed vegan meat products – all of which are derived from soybeans,
which are native to East Asia.
“ Soybean products are suitable for vegetarians and vegans looking to
increase their protein intake, especially when first transitioning to a
more plant-based diet. ” the $124 billion soybean market Examples of
soybean products include: Tofu Tempeh Soy Milk Edamame Soy Sauce
Textured Soy Proteins// Soy protein continues to prove itself
indispensable for vegetarians and vegans because soybean products contain
all essential amino acids – whereas other protein sources, such as beans,
need to be eaten in combination with another food source to complete the
amino acid chain. Soybean products are often consumed in a processed form
in order to appeal to consumers more easily, as not many people would find
soybeans alone appetizing in their initial form. As of 2022, the average
European consumes a whopping 60 kilograms of soy every year – which equates
to nearly 133 pounds!
How are soybean products made?
Soybean products are made by intensive agricultural practices in addition
to extensive processing in order to create soybean products which will
appeal to consumers. “ Popular soybean products such as tofu, tempeh, and
soy milk require additional processing in order to arrive at the final
product. ” First off, soybean products need to be grown and harvested –
which requires land usage, water resources, and more to be successful.
Once soybeans have been harvested, production facilities can proceed with
turning the soybeans into more appealing products – such as tofu, which is
made by pureeing soybeans. Another popular soybean product includes tempeh
and miso paste, which is made by allowing soybeans to ferment. Both of
these processes are considered first generation soybean products. On the
other hand, second generation soybean products are a whole other beast –
and are arguably worse for the planet due to their need for extensive
processing. These products include soy products which are even more
processed than tofu or tempeh, such as plant-based burgers or other meat
substitutes. This requires additives to improve the texture and taste of
the soybean products, so that they can better replicate the meat they are
trying to mimic – which also requires additional processing. Soybean
products require rigorous farming practices in addition to needing to
undergo several stages of processing before cultivating the desired end
product.
soybeans on farm
What is the environmental impact of soybean products?
The environmental impact of soybean products depends on the agricultural
practices used, where soybeans are grown, how soybeans are transported, and
how soybeans are processed in production. “ Soybeans may be a valuable
protein source for vegetarians and vegans alike, but there are ethical and
environmental considerations to keep in mind when shopping for soybean
products. ”
Here are some of the ways soybean production can take a toll on the
environment:
Deforestation
Soybeans can contribute to deforestation as a result of tearing down trees
and massive rainforests in an effort to make more land available for
soybean production. This can result in a loss of biodiversity, valuable
ecosystems, and even threaten the livelihoods of native species which rely
on resources from those forests to survive.
Impact on Wildlife via Land Usage
The production of soybean products requires extensive land usage, which can
have a direct impact on the surrounding ecosystem – such as via
deteriorating soil health and monopolizing water usage.
In addition to this, soybean production also utilizes the use of
pesticides and various fertilizers – both of which can also contribute to
further soil erosion and seep into the resources that the surrounding
wildlife depends on for survival.
Water Usage
Soybean production requires intensive water usage, and in some cases – the
development of soybean products can contribute to water scarcity.
GMOs
GMOs, otherwise known as Genetically Modified Organisms, are an issue with
soybean products – seeing as soybeans are often genetically modified for
the sake of preventing a crop production loss during harvest sea
son. This allows for a more lucrative harvest, and for farmers to
continually fiscally benefit from their soybean production.
Transportation
Soybeans products are often grown in vast areas of land, many of which are
bound to be remote – meaning the soybeans themselves will have to be
shipped elsewhere for further processing to be turned into soybean
products. This can contribute to excess greenhouse gas emissions.
Processed Soybean Products
Soybean products in their whole form such as tempeh, tofu, and soybeans
don’t pose a threat to the planet – but processed soy products such as fake
meats do. This is because processing soybeans requires extensive energy
consumption, such as for vegan burgers, tofu, or soy milk – all of which
help make soy more accessible and appetizing for people looking to increase
their soy intake.
Ultimately, the production of soybean products can create a reasonable
environmental impact if the agricultural, production, and supply chain
practices are not kept up-to-date in accordance with the current climate
circumstances and available resources.
Which is worse: eating soybean products or meat?
Given the environmental impact of soybean products, many may wonder if
soybean products are even worse for the environment than meat – but the
truth is that soybean products remain the more eco-friendly choice over a
burger or fried chicken.
“ The reason why soybean products are a more environmentally friendly food
choice over meat is because ultimately, meat products still require greater
amounts of water to produce – in addition to greater land and resource
consumption. ”
Here’s a breakdown of some of the environmental impacts of soybean products
versus meat products:
Water Consumption – Although soybean products are indeed water intensive,
meat products still take the cake on having a higher rate of water usage
than soybean products. This livestock requires water for both the animals
and the crops the livestock will be eating – whereas soybean production
only requires an irrigation system for the crops themselves.
Did you know? The water footprint for a soy burger is around 158 liters of
water (around 42 gallons), whereas the amount of water used for a
traditional beef burger is around 660 gallons – or 2500 liters of water.
“ However, it is worth noting that soybean production can also lead to
deforestation – such as in the Amazon and Brazil where rainforests are
being wiped out entirely in order to ramp up soybean production. ”
Excess Emissions – Livestock farming produces much more greenhouse gas
emissions as opposed to the emissions created on behalf of soybean products
– seeing as the average cow contributes anywhere from 154 to 264 pounds of
methane gas each year. Soybean production also emits GHG emissions, but on
a much smaller scale – with soybeans only releasing 1.75 kilograms of
carbon dioxide and meat production releasing 36 kilograms of carbon dioxide
per 1,000 kilocalories.
Waste Generation – While it’s true that both meat and soybeans contribute
to air pollution, meat production will usually contribute to even more
waste – such as via animal waste and wastewater that can have an impact on
the surrounding soil and future crops to be used for livestock.
In terms of health, soybean products are ultimately more healthy to
consume on a regular basis as opposed to meat – seeing as soy-based sources
of protein often contain additional nutrients such as fiber and other
minerals while red meat could spur cancer and serious heart issues.
What are some options to replace soybean products?
Vegans often get a bad rep for not having easy access to a wide-variety of
protein sources, but in reality – this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“ People on a plant-based diet have ample opportunities to add protein to
their diets – such as with quinoa, nuts, beans, and even vegan protein
powders. ”
Some of the most convenient protein sources, besides soybean products, for
people on a plant-based diet include:
Nut butters such as peanut or almond butter
Fake meats made out of seitan
Nutritional yeast which can be sprinkled on top of pasta or other savory
dishes
Hemp seeds to add to smoothies
Green peas which can be blended into dips
Spirulina powder which can be added to wellness lattes
Remember, these protein sources should be eaten in combination with one
another in order to replace the complete amino acid chain that soybean
products provide – such as rice with beans, chickpeas with wheat-based pita
bread, or pinto beans with corn.
In fact, it has been recommended that vegans should eat soy in moderation
in order to avoid excess estrogen production and to ensure their protein
sources remain varied. Think about it, eating red meat isn’t good if
consumed on a regular basis – but every once in a while doesn’t make it
inherently awful.
The same goes for people on a plant-based diet looking to vary their
protein intake besides soybean products. That being said, one of the best
things that people can do to moderate their soybean product consumption is
to ensure they are eating soybeans closest to their natural form – such as
with tofu, tempeh, or soybeans themselves. This is because processed soy,
often found in vegan meat-alternatives, are still processed foods which
should be eaten in moderation.
“Ultimately, soybean products may not be the best choice for the planet
with their arguable water consumption and land degradation – but it
shouldn’t deter someone from committing to a plant-based lifestyle or
fearing a lack of protein options for vegetarians or vegans.” Similarly,
orangutans’ displacements must also be considered as an alternative.
Without cutting paddy crops, ice cannot be obtained; but greediness of the
industry is not controlled by any Govt.
K Rajaram IRS 121224
On Thu, 12 Dec 2024 at 06:56, Markendeya Yeddanapudi <
[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Orangutan fights bulldozer destroying his land
>
> Illegal logging & palm oil production are causing Orangutans to lose their
> homes. Over 250 MILLION ACRES, EACH YEAR, are being destroyed and the
> orangutans are killed or tortured to death leaving only orphaned babies.
> Borneo orangutan are now considered to be Critically endangered.
>
> WE CAN HELP. REFUSE to buy any foods made with Palm Oil, Write companies
> that USE Palm Oil and tell them what you think, and send this information
> out periodically.
>
> International Animal Rescue is asking people to help through their Plant
> A Tree <https://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/plant-tree> program,
> which helps to reforest the orangutan's forests. You can also help by
> boycotting products containing palm oil. Palm oil is bad for people to
> eat, causing heart attacks and stroke.
>
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT5xSwdvi8E
>
>
>
> --
> *Mar*
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Thatha_Patty" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to [email protected].
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CACDCHCKFSWv0vevMZipeDJ2P6CfpfY4Sm_4-MgyAmqMNNmGVWA%40mail.gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CACDCHCKFSWv0vevMZipeDJ2P6CfpfY4Sm_4-MgyAmqMNNmGVWA%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
> .
>
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Thatha_Patty" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email
to [email protected].
To view this discussion visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoq9VpsPGSwwu-dxjy7Z3fxFotOsqHAeDxLFTALk6AQyoQ%40mail.gmail.com.
