What's Up With Palm Oil? Part 1: History

Click here for the continuation of this series, Part 2: The Problem With Palm

What do ice cream, instant noodles, margarine, lipstick, and soap have in common?

A lot of us have probably used some in the last two weeks, and they also may contain palm oil.

Everything we consume has some sort of impact on the environment and many concerned citizens are eager to find new ways to make more sustainable choices, but honestly my strawberry ice cream cone was not at the top of my list of changes to make for a better world.

Palm oil is a widely-used vegetable oil , but is often produced unsustainable ways and is linked to environmental and social issues.

So what's up with Palm oil?

A (Brief) History of Palm Oil

(To read the full report, see "History of Palm Oil" from The Cambridge World History of Food 2 Volume Boxed Set by Kenneth F. Kiple and Kriemhild Coneè Ornelas at http://coconutoil.com/palm_oil_history/) 

Elaeis guineensis, or the oil palm, is a tree native to West Africa. It was likely a food source for indigenous people in unrecorded history, found in ancient Egyptian tombs, and its use in cooking was written about in the journals of some European travelers from the mid 15th century. Today it remains an ingredient in cherished dishes in cultures around the world; trans fat-free, nutritious, containing antioxidants, and used in making many tasty foods.

Upon expansion trade of the red palm oil got its hands dirty, supplying vessels of the transatlantic slave trade. It was used for candlemaking and as a lubricant for machinery, and the demand for palm oil in Europe increased during the British Industrial Revolution it became a modest exporting trade for farmers in Western Africa while also farming for local usage. It is believed that often oil palm trees were self-seeded, ground about by their own natural processes, even possibly after the 1900s European plantations were established in Southeast Asia and Central Africa.

The demand continued to grow ever larger as palm oil slipped its way into Western foods, especially because of non-hydrogenated margarine. Today a lot of us have been warned about the health risks associated with the process of hydrogenation because of trans fats, and this has been a key point in the common butter vs. margarine debate. However, eventually  it was found that palm oil could be processed in a way that allowed it to be used in margarine without undergoing hydrogenation as other vegetable oils may. 

Although in the 1940's the use of palm oil in Western cultures slowed when there were interruptions in trade with Asia, when butter was in short supply during the war people were often encouraged to use margarine.

From there a grading system was developed and made standard by The Produce Control Board and later Nigerian Oil Palm Produce Marketing Board, which motivated producers to develop better processing techniques.

... Today & the RSPO

Today we are at a point in history where sellers of palm oil have been faced with a new challenge; a challenge ensure it is farmed and produced sustainably. Palm oil has a speckled past, but the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (or RSPO) is now challenging traders of palm oil to make a clean slate, and clean up the act for the future.

This is the RSPO's Mission and Vision statement taken directly from their website:

• "Advance the production, procurement, finance and use of sustainable palm oil products
• Develop, implement, verify, assure and periodically review credible global standards for the entire supply chain of sustainable palm oil
• Monitor and evaluate the economic, environmental and social impacts of the uptake of sustainable palm oil in the market
• Engage and commit all stakeholders throughout the supply chain, including governments and consumers." - rspo.org

Basically an RSPO certification compares the means a trader or palm oil with a certain standard so as to minimize negative impacts on the environment, animals, and people.

The oil used in ramen noodles may seem arbitrary, but sustainable or unsustainable farming of it is linked with larger environmental issues that are getting closer to home for people.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of "What's Up With Palm Oil?" to read more about the issues surrounding palm oil, the significance of RSPO, and what each one of us can do to help clean up the act.

In the meantime...

WWF created a satirical trailer, "Unseen" for the drama that is gradually unfolding around unsustainable palm oil. On the surface it may sound far less important and glamorous than the fight against mass deforestation and habitat loss, climate change, or indigenous rights, but the sustainable palm oil is an ingredient affecting all of the above.

Sources

http://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/which-everyday-products-contain-palm-oil 

http://coconutoil.com/palm_oil_history/

http://www.soyatech.com/Palm_Oil_Facts.htm

http://www.rspo.org/about/sustainable-palm-oil

http://www.rspo.org/about

Cineplex Offering Free Download of "An Inconvenient Truth" Today Only

Hey guys. So usually there isn't much promotional stuff on the blog but I received an email notice today that for the 10th anniversary of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" they are offering free digital downloads of the documentary.

http://store.cineplex.com/store/htmlContent.jsp?contentType=an-inconvenient-truth&ex=20160524_Email_Newsletter_-_-_Movie-Guide_-_Free-Giveaway_-_LP 

In a way the celebratory gift to new and existing members also goes along to promote Cineplex's recent digital-only direction for selling movies, as reducing e-waste is an entire initiative of its own.

Many have criticized some of the sources and claims made in "An Inconvenient Truth" and some have been cleared up, but honestly without conscious effort I will never remember a statistic. In grade six when our teacher showed the documentary in class I didn't consider myself a numbers person (honestly has much changed?) but what I do remember is the impact the big picture had on my perspective of the waste I generated. Suddenly, taking the bus or walking somewhere wasn't such a big deal compared to the big picture of climate change and the quality of the air we all breathe every day. (Back when this film was made, "global warming" was the hot word, which has now progressed to "climate change").

Cartoon by Joel Pett

It helped put a greater focus on how many of the little things can actually be adjusted so that we're not making living so hard for us and other creatures on Earth.

When it's so easy to get caught up in the everyday things in life and push things that don't have an immediate direct impact on me to the backburner, I'm looking forward to watching "an Inconvenient Truth" again to help re-calibrate my thinking.

Types of Treehuggers

Here is a little personal project I did a long ago with a few cue cards.

All these characters were drawn on cue cards I cannot find yet, but that can be another post for another time. (Update: Found them, here they are!)

It was a lot cooler when I was sitting at the kitchen table explaining it in a extemporaneous babble to relatives and my dog a little differently each time, but it and went something like this and I hope you find it amusing :)

The Hippie/Flower Child

The classic treehugger stereotypee right out of the 60s who really got environmental movement started. Clad in tye-dye and hemp, and sitting cross-legged in front of trees preaching their message of love, peace, and unity, they are also known for making some lovely tunes to get people in a mood and mindset of unity.

The Rebellious Radical

Sometimes seen as a close younger cousin of the hippie, The Rebellious Radical is loud and grabs attention, and sometimes that might be the exact push people need. Louder the better; think activists chaining themselves to trees maybe with some funky coloured hair. These people make bold statements pointing to the goal of drawing attention and spreading awareness of big issues that really matter.

The Wild Child/Conservationist

It's that kid that's always climbing trees and running around exploring outside with messy hair. They really are in their element/natural habitat outside, probably making mud pies and isn't afraid of getting dirty or touching creepy crawlies. These are the ones who probably know the common, maybe the scientific, and given personal names of backyard wildlife. These friends of the forest, conservation officers, camp counselors, and more have a contagious sense of wonder they are often eager to share with others.

The Humanitarian

The Humanitarian  recognize that people are part of the ecosystem just like other animals, and sincerely care about the wellbeing of fellow humans. Whether they be doctors, aid workers, or concerned citizens, they see how people around the world are affected by environmental issues and are ready to see how can to help. From pollution putting people's health at risk to climate change displacing entire communities, they recognize sustainability as a must, and clean air and water as basic human rights which they will fight for and seek to see as many people as possible having access to.

Engineer/Technician

These are the ones that really make all these advancements work. A lot of what they do is behind-the-scenes, but they use the power of their minds to make it possible to drive new sustainable technologies forward such as in renewable energy. The research they do also gives treehuggers the world over something to actually work with to show the world that what the heart says is the right thing to do also makes logical sense.

Politician/Consultant

"Work The System" is the name of the game here. These guys in the big leagues kind of have to be disguised in big business suits sometimes and they work undercover. Sometimes they develop "green" products, creative marketing to inspire people to take to them, or policies to help change the world. Among politicians and corporates, the suit-wearing or clip-board-yielding ones advocate for the environment in the big leagues using the system to further their agenda, to help the environment on a big scale.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to share your thoughts on which treehugger stereotypes you and your friends relate to in the comments, as well as any ideas for green activities people of different types might like participating in!

Edited April 9, 2018... also finally uploaded the photos!

Clean Commission - Looking for Courses

Published May 27, 2016

Choosing courses. Students... relate to the love-hate feeling for it?

This morning I did a bit of research and found out that a college I was considering is not accredited, which means the only benefit is personal development. Their environmental course actually sounds very well-rounded and personally appealing, but not so sure if it's enough. (ie: if a company has a policy that you must have a diploma to be hired no matter how much they love you at an interview, this diploma wouldn't count).

Until the third grade I was home-schooled and thrived in an open-ended classroom where I could work alone and at my own pace, completely absorbed in one subject as long as everything got done. It was pretty awesome when science and art, or history and creative writing turned out to be the same class.

A lot of students-to-be can relate. 

I found another one online that is accredited, but it just didn't spark that gut feeling of "I want to take this". It's focus is on more concrete details, measuring, and technical equipment (though there's some pretty cool outdoorsy stuff where it looks like you should be wearing local camo onesies)

Measurements are definitely important, but I'd also like to develop something more social. Both sides of teh coin are important to progress past studying things so that someone can figure out how the maximum damage they can get away with, versus proactively reaching for the goal of minimizing damage, and reaching out for our greatest potential for sustainability.

The two most common pieces of advice I get from older people are: 1) Work hard to get a job that pays well, and 2) Do what you love.

The profit I want to push is how much clean air, water, and vital habitats we can have. I'm looking for a financial income that can support a meaningful and modest life, and an outcome of doing the best I can to support the plan I am a part of, with a commission of fresh air to breath and clean water to drink.

Students, how is your course-hunting going? It has been a quiet day but feel free to share thoughts and personal experiences in the comments.

Seriously, Don't Touch Giant Hogweed!

Originally this post had a more abrupt title, then less so compromised with regular casing and one exclamation point. Just felt like it was important to get the message across.

Many people have had unpleasant experiences with poison ivy and I can attest to carelessly running through stinging nettle several times partly regretting the little renegade session, but Giant Hogweed is more than just a pain-in-the-neck to just wash away, and is in a league of it's own for "don't touch that plant."

It looks like a giant version of Cow Parsnip and Queen Anne's Lace. 

Here is a webpage with a comparison chart: http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants-terrestrial/wild-parsnip/

Giant Hogweed photo by Project Noah's rayrodriguez1027

Giant Hogweed can grow over 2 metres in height. In addition to its round clusters of white flowers, it has purple spots and tiny white hairlike filaments on the stem. Before it's bloom in mid-August it is also much lower to the ground and without its distinct flowers.

While its mini-me is evocative of the delicate crochet patterns that might adorn the collarbone of her Majesty, Giant Hogweed could bedeck your skin with third degree burns, or cause blindness if even a single drop gets in your eye.

The effects are not immediate, but this plant is phototoxic and the oils will burn your skin after being exposed to light, potentially permanent effects worsening over the course of days without treatment. If you do accidentally come into contact with its toxic oils on your skin, wash the area well with soap and warm water as soon as possible and avoid sunlight for two days, and see a physician.*

If you accidentally get any on your hands, do not rub your eyes!

*Even in the age of knowledge, Google searches, and Mayoclinic, the internet doesn't replace the care of a health care professional. With Giant Hogweed effects may not be immediate but can cause permanent damage without the help of a physician. Including to tough guys (and gals) who "don't go to the doctor".

phototoxicity: (aka photoirritation) A toxic response that occurs after the exposure of skin to certain chemicals and light. It can also occur after systemic (oral or intravenous) administration.
- EURL-ECVAM (https://eurl-ecvam.jrc.ec.europa.eu/validation-regulatory-acceptance/topical-toxicity/phototoxicity)

Queen Anne's Lace is a part of the carrot family so I'm guessing giant hogweed is as well. This means that if you're trying to rid your garden of this pain-in-the-neck relative you gotta be careful not only to not touch it,  but to take out the tap root from the ground also.

Giant Hogweed is an invasive species from Asia which (surprise-surprise) was introduced by people, first to England, then to Canada including Atlantic Canada, B.C., Ontario, and Quebec. It competes with native species for resources, and the loosening of soil even after it dies or hibernates during the winter can cause soil erosion.

If you see giant hogweed in your renegading through the forst, reporting the sighting would really help the local environment and fellow outdoorsmen: http://www.eddmaps.org/ontario/ 

(To all who do this, thank you.)

Moral of the story: don't touch giant hogweed.

References*

Ontario's Invadin Species Awareness Program. (n.d.). Giant Hogweed. Retrieved February 18, 2016, from http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants-terrestrial/giant-hogweed/

 Jakuboski, Samantha. (2011, July 17). CAUTION: Giant Hogweed might be growing in your own backyard. Retrieved February 18, 2016, from http://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/green-science/caution_giant_hogweed_might_be 

EURL-ECVAM. (2012). Phototoxicity. Retrieved February 18, 2016, from https://eurl-ecvam.jrc.ec.europa.eu/validation-regulatory-acceptance/topical-toxicity/phototoxicity 

Santa Maria, Cheryl. (2015, July 22). Plant that can cause third-degree burns popping up in Canada. Retrieved February 18, 2016, from http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/plant-that-can-cause-third-degree-burns-popping-up-in-canada/54604/ 

Santa Maria, Cheryl. (2015, June 2). Bloodroot and 7 other dangerous plants: How to identify each. Retrieved February 18, 2016, from http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/toxic-plants-found-in-canada/52042/ 

Photo by Project Noah's rayrodriguez1027, from  http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8648105

*Apologies for the tiny font... can't seem to increase the size!

Dear Readers...

Dear Readers, sustainable city-folk, citizen scientists, wayward wanderers, audacious explorers, and other friends,

Sorry for the shorter and less frequent posts lately. Things have gotten pretty hectic and have changed a lot, but I think mostly for the better. Among other things I have been working on some more creative pieces on lunar-winds, and the voice of Nature Nimbus has also changed. This blog really is for the love of nature in general, so while the style is evolving hopefully that will also allow for more variety and colour in the types of posts that will be here.

There will be a poll on the sidebar for the next little while where you can vote for what type of post you would like to see next. I'd love to hear from you! If there is a specific topic you would also like to suggest, please feel free to submit it in the contact form at the bottom of the page.

Thanks so much for reading and your support!

Happy trails :)

Melody

Wind Festival 2015 (Fun Post)

So I have a thing for the wind. Its capricious beauty affects so much physically within an ecosystem, and its unseen and almost spiritual nature is also captivating for those who stop to listen.

In the summer of last year I had the joy of painting kids' faces and working at a skulls and furs booth, as a volunteer at the Kortright Centre for conservation's 2015 Wind Festival. The Kortright Centre is a beautiful raw gem in Southern Ontario that children and their families connect with nature, and nurture respect and love for the environment and our natural heritage.

The wind festival had lots of nature-themed booths and activities for families, and next year I hope to attend as a visitor (and bring my kite!)

Edited 2021-01-12