Palm Oil - You - Me & The Orangutans
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Objective: To find out how we use the rainforest in our everyday life and to research Palm Oil, the effects of production on the countries where it is grown.
We have seen how the indigenous people of the rainforest use their surroundings to live and survive, but how about us? How do we use the rainforest in our everyday lives and could we do without it?
Background Research - Using this Guardian interactive resource and the booklet below, complete all tasks as set out.
This will take you two lessons of individual study. The information you gather from this study will help you to complete your palm oil project so keep it safe!
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So, after completing your interactive study, you will know about the following:
Palm oil is used by virtually every one of us in one form or another (see photo at the bottom of this text). In its basic form it is used in processed or prepared foods such as bread, cakes, breakfast cereals and ready meals, as well as ice cream, margarine and crisps. Unlike oil seed rape and sunflower oils palm oil is valued because it is solid at room temperature. Palm oil is also cheaper than other types of oils. The vast majority of the worlds palm oil comes from Malaysia and Indonesia where the expansion of the industry has destroyed millions of hectares of rainforest. This deforestation is said to be far greater than the rate of deforestation due to logging in the Amazon rainforest. In the past the majority of palm oil production has been for food and cosmetics but now the European Union has agreed to cut greenhouse gasses by 20%, we are having to find a new source of fuel for our transport. The answer is said to be bio-fuels however this will mean that Indonesia and Malaysia will produce more palm oil which will result in further destruction of some of the most valuable rainforest on the planet. The effect of this destruction will mean that many species of plants and animals that live in these rainforests will be lost forever. Examples of species that will be lost are the Sumatran tiger, Asian Elephant and the Orangutans of Borneo Thanks to Melanie Richards, Head of Geography at St Ursula's Convent School in Greenwich. |
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Why might Palm Oil Not Be So Bad After All...?
In Geography, we must use the multiple perspective approach and look at issues from both sides. We have already seen that palm oil can be environmentally devastating, but is economically valuable for both Malaysia and Indonesia and is helping them to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals, notably eradicating extreme poverty. However, what if all the negative noise around palm oil concealed something else? Watch the video below from DW News and complete the note taking activity, as set out underneath the video.
Watch the video above and make notes (in a place of your choice) under the following headings and times:
Chapters:
00:41 - Why palm oil is popular
03:17 - The problems with palm oil
04:42 - Palm oil's incredible production
06:24 - Certification?
07:09 - Watch from the skies
08:12 - Palm oil from the lab
08:53 - Conclusion
You are now ready to start on your palm oil project!
Chapters:
00:41 - Why palm oil is popular
03:17 - The problems with palm oil
04:42 - Palm oil's incredible production
06:24 - Certification?
07:09 - Watch from the skies
08:12 - Palm oil from the lab
08:53 - Conclusion
You are now ready to start on your palm oil project!
