June 2008

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Palm-Free Campaign

June 30, 2008 in Uncategorized, deforestation, endangered habitats, endangered species, environmentalism, sustainable development | 1 comment

LUSH Cosmetics has decided to replace palm oil as an ingredient in their products in light of the habitat destruction taking place in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Borneo.

Rain forest is being cut down to make way for palm oil plantations. This conversion of habitat is putting the Sumatran orangutan at serious risk.

The Sumatran orangutan is currently listed as critically endangered. At present, there are less than 7,300 in the world; and, if their numbers continue to decline at the present rate, it is projected that the orangutan could be extinct in as little as five years, which would make it the first Great Ape to become extinct in the wild.

Besides the harm to orangutans and other various animals (including Sumatran elephants & tigers, and as-yet-undiscovered species), the palm oil industry is also negatively impacting indigeneous peoples. Further deforestation is a serious problem in itself and a major contributor to global warming.

Palm oil is used in food products, but is widely used in cosmetics – particularly in soap-making.

The videos selected below cover Lush’s insight on the Palm oil situation as well as info on their Palm Oil Campaign.

For more information on LUSH Cosmetics, their natural skin care product line, and other charitable projects & governing principles, visit.

Orangutans threatened by Palm Oil Industry

June 29, 2008 in biodiversity, conservation, deforestation, endangered habitats, endangered species, environmentalism, sustainable development | 1 comment

The Sumatran orangutan is listed as critically endangered. Currently there are less than 7,300 in the world. If their numbers continue to decline at the present rate, it is projected that the orangutan could be extinct in as little as five years – making it the first Great Ape to become extinct in the wild.

The primary threat to the orangutan is habitat destruction. The rain forests of Indonesia are being cut down in illegal logging operations and to make way for palm oil plantations. This conversion of habitat has dire consequences for the native wildlife, as well as for the indigeneous peoples. Further, the deforestation contributes to global warming.

Palm oil is used in food, but also widely in the cosmetics industry. It is a main ingredient in many soaps, including some of those produced by natural skin care companies. (Click here to read about the “Palm Oil Campaign” being sponsored and promoted by LUSH Cosmetics.)

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil met recently in Singapore to address these issues relating to the palm oil industry.

The World Wildlife Fund has projects in Borneo and Sumatra aimed at “effectively manag[ing] a network of protected areas, productive forests and other sustainable land uses to maintain the biodiversity and natural resources for the prosperity of the people who rely on them.” (Click here to read more about their work there.)

You can also “adopt” an orangutan through their website.

Last minute Father’s Day Eco-Gifts

June 15, 2008 in Uncategorized, conservation, environmentalism, green gifts | No comments

Looking for a special eco-friendly gift for Dad?

Send him a free E-card from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) There are 19 different cards to choose from, each capturing the beauty of wildlife.

Or in just 2 minutes you can send him one of the best gifts ever from Conservation International:

For $15 you can help protect an acre of tropical forest land in your Dad’s honor. The contribution will support Conservation International’s efforts to protect forests and help end climate change.

Every year, burning & slashing of forests releases as much CO2 as all the cars, trucks, and planes in the world – more than 20% of all the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global climate change.^[1]

Although the forests may be lost far away, the impact is felt here. (Learn more about the program to save tropical forests – thus far 12,863 acres have been protected.)

You can choose one of their stunning Father’s Day E-cards to announce your gift. You can even track Dad’s acre on CI’s website and view information about the animals & living things that inhabit it.

And with your gift you’re keeping tons of climate-changing carbon from entering the atmosphere and helping to end the destruction of forests.

[1] – Conservation International’s Projects Page
(http://conservation.org/learn/forests/Pages/projects.aspx)