Editorial
Changing PerceptionsSay Yes to Palm Oil by Jonathan A. Finch & Monique van Wijnbergen
I
n the great palm oil debate, which is currently raging, amidst allegations of the pursuit of profit at the expense of sustainability, it seems that some kernels of truth have been lost along the way. Palm oil is a harmless, natural product in and of itself; it is the nature of human action which causes problems.
This article explores the truth behind the crop and posits how perceptions can–and should–be changed towards it. It does not seek to minimise the risk to our planet posed by bad palm oil production, but it does propose that the picture is more nuanced than we have been led to believe. In short, not all palm oil production is bad. We need transparency and honesty if we’re going to effectively address the concerns of all types of people across the world– whether it be vegans, the organic movement, or those concerned about workers’ rights and poverty. Let’s take each of these one by one.
Vegan and Organic Palm oil, as the name suggests, is from a palm tree–natural and wholly plant-based in its raw
form. So far so good for vegans. So should vegans choose palm oil, and why do many of them boycott it? A clue can be found in the Vegan Society’s own definition of veganism–which “seeks to exclude–as far as possible and practicable–all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.”1 Vegans simply can’t be sure that the palm oil they consume has come from animal-friendly and environmentally sustainable sources. How about those looking for organic produce? Here too, this natural product should pass the test with flying colours. The Soil Association definition states that it must “use fewer (or no) pesticides than non-organic produce; it must not contain GM elements; and no artificial preservatives must be www.thesolutionsjournal.com | Spring 2020 | Solutions | 11