OfCourseVegan Article: Want to Change the World? You already have

Of Course Vegan
Want to Change the World?  You Already Have.
by: Stephanie Gagne
Article posted on Of Course Vegan at: http://ofcoursevegan.com/2013/05/27/want-to-change-the-world-you-already-have/

Fast forward to 2023.

Flying cars, teleportation and the world at the push of a button – ah, the stereotypical picture of the future that has been so beautifully painted to distract you from reality.  These ideas sound great, but they are a far cry from the true future we face.

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FROM FOOD TO TOYS TO BEAUTY PRODUCTS, PALM OIL IS ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY USED OILS IN THE WORLD.  YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN IT ON A LABEL AS OH-SO-VAGUE “VEGETABLE OIL”.  OIL PALM TREES REQUIRE A RAINFOREST-LIKE ENVIRONMENT TO THRIVE, SO RAINFOREST LAND IS BEING BURNED AND CLEARED TO MAKE WAY FOR EVER-EXPANDING OIL PALM PLANTATIONS. 
PALM OIL HAS BECOME SO POPULAR, IN FACT, THAT THE REMAINING RAINFOREST IN BORNEO AND SUMATRA IS DISAPPEARING AT A RATE OF MILLIONS OF ACRES OF PER YEAR.  LET ME REITERATE – MILLIONS OF ACRES PER YEAR.  SADLY, THE REASON IS SIMPLY SUPPLY AND DEMAND.  DOLLA DOLLA BILLS, Y’ALL!
THIS IS A BIT OF A PROBLEM FOR ORANGUTANS THAT LIVE IN THE RAINFOREST.  NOT ONLY ARE ORANGUTANS BEING FORCED FROM THEIR HABITAT, HUNTED AND KILLED (‘97-’98 FIRES IN BORNEO KILLED OVER 7,000), BUT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE EXTINCT WITHIN THE NEXT 10-15 YEARS.  IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE IMPACT OF RAINFOREST DESTRUCTION ISN’T LIMITED TO ORANGUTANS – ALMOST HALF OF THE FRESH WATER IN THE WORLD IS A RESULT OF RAINFALL IN RAINFORESTS.  NO RAINFOREST – NO RAIN – NO FRESH WATER, AND THAT’S A PRETTY UGLY PICTURE OF THE FUTURE…MINUS THE FANCY FLYING CAR.

MAKING INFORMED, ETHICAL CHOICES IS OUR HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY, AND EACH ONE OF US WILL IMPACT THE FUTURE WITH THE SMALL CHOICES WE MAKE EVERY DAY.  PALM OIL CAN BE FOUND IN EVERYTHING FROM CANDY TO LOTION, AND THE INDUSTRY IS GROWING RAPIDLY TO SUPPORT CONSUMER DEMAND.  EFFORTS ARE IN PLACE TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE OIL PALM PLANTATIONS THAT DO NOT THREATEN THE FUTURE OF ORANGUTANS OR THE RAINFORESTS, HOWEVER THE MAJORITY OF OIL USED TODAY IS NOT FROM A SUSTAINABLE SOURCE.  YOU CAN FIND ETHICAL MANUFACTURERS BY CHECKING WITH THE RSPO (ROUNDTABLE ON SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL).  THEY HAVE PROVIDED A HANDY, PRINTABLE SHOPPING GUIDE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE:HTTP://WWW.VILASZOO.ORG/UPLOADS/MEDIA/PALM_OIL_SHOPPING_GUIDE-PRINTABLE.PDF

VEGANISM DOESN’T ONLY PROMOTE ANIMAL RIGHTS – IT INSPIRES IMPROVEMENT AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR EVERYONE.  POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, ALL OF THE POWER IN THE WORLD IS IN OUR WALLETS.  THIS IS NOT A DIET – IT’S A CONSCIOUS LIFESTYLE CHOICE.  IT IS GOOD INTENTION, COMPASSION, DISCIPLINE AND FORETHOUGHT, KNOWING THAT EVERY DECISION MATTERS.

NOW LET’S REVISIT 2023 – WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?