The Problem with Palm Oil
The Drawbacks of Using Palm Oil
Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils in the world, found in everything from food products to cosmetics to cleaning supplies. It’s inexpensive to produce, has a long shelf life, and can be used in a wide variety of goods. While palm oil may seem like a harmless ingredient, its production is associated with significant environmental concerns, and understanding its impact has become increasingly important.
1. Deforestation
One of the most pressing concerns surrounding palm oil production is deforestation. Typically palm oil plantations are located on large areas of rainforest land which are first cleared of their natural vegetation in order to make way for oil palms.
A new palm oil plantation in a recently deforested area ; Image: Natural History Museum, London/Rich Carey/Shutterstock
2. Loss of Biodiversity
Palm oil plantations offer little to no biodiversity compared to the lush, diverse rainforests that they replace. When forests are destroyed, countless species of plants, animals, and microorganisms lose their habitats, which can lead to extinction for some species. The destruction of ecosystems also impacts indigenous communities that depend on these lands for their livelihoods. Many forest-dwelling communities rely on the diverse natural resources of these environments for food, medicine, and shelter. As palm oil plantations spread, these communities are often displaced, and their way of life is disrupted.
An overhead view of a palm oil plantation, showing the vast area utilized to farm an oil palm mono-crop ; Image: Pulitzer Center/nelzajamal/Shutterstock
3. Soil Erosion and Water Pollution
Forests help to anchor the soil with their root systems, preventing erosion and the loss of topsoil. When forests are cleared for palm oil, the soil becomes more vulnerable to erosion, which can lead to problems such as sedimentation in rivers and decreased soil fertility. Palm oil plantations often use large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers to increase yields as well. These chemicals can run off into nearby water sources, leading to water pollution and harming aquatic life.
Workers unload freshly harvest palm fruit ; Image: Food Unfolded/Getty Images
4. Contribution to Climate Change
The clearing of forests for palm oil plantations often involves slash-and-burn practices, which not only devastate habitats but also release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This process not only increases atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases, but the resulting loss of forest density also reduces the planet’s ability to absorb carbon emissions, making palm oil production a significant driver of global warming.
A huge swath of land devastated by deforestation for oil palm farming ; Image: naturepl.com/Juan Carlos Munoz/WWF
As consumers, it’s important to be aware of the effect that the products we use have on the planet. Opting for products that use alternative oils and choosing to reduce consumption of palm oil can help reduce the environmental damage caused by its production. Some organizations have formed to combat the unsustainable practices of the palm oil industry, such as the Roundtable for Sunstainable Palm Oil (RSPO) which issues certifications of sustainability to certain palm oil plantations, but at Beaverton's we believe that the best way to fight the negative impacts of palm oil is to abstain from its use entirely. While the palm oil industry won’t disappear overnight, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship can help preserve the planet’s natural resources for future generations.