The oily truth

8 October 2013

Join environmental not-for-profit Sustainable Table and Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Australia at Palace Verona Cinema on Wednesday 30th October, for a screening of multi-award winning documentary Green, and to learn about the complex issue of palm oil production and how we can be part of the solution.

You’ve got the family coming over for afternoon tea and haven’t had time to bake a cake, so you whip out the Tim Tams and Mint Slices, pour some Samboy chips in a bowl and throw together a platter of Ritz crackers with Mainland cheese. Nothing wrong with that right? Think again. Every single item in that spread contains palm oil.

So alarmed you feel like rinsing your mouth out with soap? There’s issues with that too, because the vast majority of soaps and toothpastes such as Dove and Colgate contain palm oil as well.

In fact, it is estimated palm oil is found in 50% of all items on supermarket shelves. Processed foods, cleaning products, skincare products; the list goes on.

Why is palm oil such a problem; why has it increased in use by 10-fold since 1980; and what is it doing to our environment and Orangutan populations?

On the evening, Louise Grossfeldt, Vice President of Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Australia, will share her vast knowledge and explore the environmental impacts of industrial oil palm plantations, as well as the devastating impact they are having on one of man’s closest animal relatives, the Orangutan.

The total population of the Sumatran Orangutan has significantly declined over the past few decades. For example, from 1992-2000, the population is considered to have declined by more than 50%. It’s up to consumers to put pressure on big business to make swift changes to their supply chains if we are to avoid losing the species completely.

“The issue of palm oil is a complex one, but the answer isn’t boycotting it altogether. Instead it’s about advocating to develop a sustainable palm oil industry,” says Grossfeldt.

“It’s about raising awareness of the issue and providing consumers with the information to positively participate in a solution. A solution that must be found urgently because time is running out for Orangutans and for our rainforests.”

Although at times confronting, this event will equip people with the tools and knowledge to change the way they purchase food and household goods, so that together we can help to save Orangutan populations and our precious rainforests.

This Sydney event is being held as part of Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Month. 

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 30th October, 2013

Time: 6.15pm (for a 6.30pm start) – 8.30pm

Location: Palace Verona Cinema, 17 Oxford St, Paddingto, Sydney

Cost: $30 – all profits support Sustainable Table’s work, with $3 from each ticket going towards supporting Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation and the documentary Green. Tickets available here.

Also:

Date: Tuesday 26th November, 2013

Time: 6.30pm (for a 7pm start) to 9pm

Location: RMIT’s Swanston Academic Building, Lecture Theatre, Level 2 (street level) 445 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Photo: BOS Foundation & Vier Pfoten