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Palm oil is one of the most common vegetable oils in the world, and it's used in all kinds of products. This oil is harvested in places like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Africa. Palm oil plantations require millions of hectares of cleared land, land that was once carbon-rich soil and home to countless species.
When companies clear land for palm oil plantations, they are tearing up forests that, per square mile, can hold 99 million kilograms (over 218 million pounds) of carbon. By clearing these forests, palm oil plantations create the equivalent of driving a car between New York and San Francisco 76 times. The danger of palm oil plantations is not limited to just the carbon impacts. Orangutans, rhinos, elephants, and many other species are endangered partially due to habitat loss because of palm oil plantations. In addition to the environmental and animal rights issues that come with palm oil, consuming it is also bad for human health. When processed, it's known to cause organ toxicity, especially in the kidneys and lungs. The Challenge For the next two weeks, don't use any products with palm oil in them. Comment below to take the challenge! Quick tip: there are different types of palm oil, so product packaging may list palm oil, palm kernel oil, or fractionated palm kernel oil. Many processed foods like cookies, crackers, and granola bars contain palm oil, as well as some cosmetic products like shampoo. The planet thanks you!
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Cars emit a lot of greenhouse gases, and if more people commute on bikes, emissions from cars will be reduced, which will reduce climate change.
This week, replace one of your car commutes with a bike ride to your daily destinations. Just taking a bike ride is great for your health, but it doesn’t offset any emissions from a car trip. Comment below to take the weeklong pledge to replace a car trip with a bike ride! This week, also comment the distance that you biked. Who can take the longest bike ride? The planet thanks you! June 5th is World Environment Day, a day made for people to educate others and learn about the environment, as well as make changes that benefit our planet. Each year, the United Nations creates a theme for the festivities. This year’s theme is Beat Air Pollution! There are many different ways to help solve the air pollution problems, like taking your bike instead of a car, or, if you have to take a car, do a rideshare or create a carpool.
This month, in honor of World Environment Day, take the Project 5 Billion challenges that are geared towards air pollution, and come up with your own! Post photos on Instagram using the hashtags #project5billion and #beatairpollution and help support the planet. Comment or post to take the challenge! The planet thanks you! |
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