Unilever calls for moratorium on rainforest destruction in Indonesia
Posted by oots on May 8, 2008
Something to be optimistic about: viral internet campaigning and putting pressure on corporations can and does beget positive change. All of those YouTube videos we watch, newsletters we sign up for, and petitions we sign — perhaps the small actions of many can change the world after all.
As I shook off the cobwebs of the morning by drinking my coffee and perusing Twitter, someone linked to this video with the added statement, “THIS is POWERFUL:”
Out of curiosity I followed the story on over to Greenpeace.org/dove where they had the usual signature campaign running, but with an update that Unilever (Dove’s parent company) felt the pressure and is calling for a complete halt on rainforest destruction in Indonesia.
The destruction of the world’s rainforests and peatlands to make way for increased palm-oil plantations is driving climate change and pushing species, such as the orang-utan, to the brink of extinction. Every time rainforest is trashed, huge amounts of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. The destruction of rainforests accounts for a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than all the planes, trains and cars in the world.
Tens of thousands of people joined in by signing our open letter to Dove, contacting Unilever directly and spreading the word.
“One big reason Unilever is taking this seriously so quickly is thanks to all of you who signed our open letter or contacted Unilever directly - your support is vital,” said Tim Birch, Greenpeace forests campaigner. “To get real on the ground protection for Indonesia’s forests, we need everyone’s help to keep the pressure up - working together we can save these forests, the orang-utans and the climate”.
Greenpeace is still calling for signatures, so clicky on over.
Something to be Optimistic About
Posted by Grey on April 21, 2008
By now most of us know the United States is in a recession, save a few economists that don’t want to admit it. Or maybe they just don’t want to be “at fault” for making people cut back and slinging us into a depression, which would be worse.
Or would it?
Consider an article on CNN.com today about how Americans are cutting back, some of them doing some of the things we suggested here before, such as making their own laundry detergent and growing a few of their own vegetables. People are trying to drive less too. These things, while not super wonderful for our economy, are good for our planet.
Many changes we can make don’t take up a lot of time (like making your own detergent), or they can take up time instead of something we used to do that was wasteful. Some things, like gardening, do take up more time - but if you are one of those people that always had to have the perfect, pristine lawn, forgo the perfection (and the fertilizers, please) and grow your own veggies instead.
Growing some of your own food has many benefits. One, you know right where it came from, and you know it’s super fresh (and tastes much better!). Two, you have saved resources by not needing food shipped from China or Chile.
I was certain that hanging my clothes on a line would take up a lot more time. As it turns out, the difference is negligible when you consider the washer is always finished with the next load long before the dryer is and you spend time checking on the clothes to see if they are finished or not. It only takes me about 10 minutes to hang a load on the line, and it all gets folded as I take it down and put the next load up. No waiting time, so the washing is done in record time. Drying does take a little longer, but oh, I love the smell of fresh air in my wash!
I’m not saying that I want our economy to go into a deeper recession or even a depression - but these changes that people are willing to make have impressed me and restored some of my faith in the populace’s willingness to change. Our economy will adjust - I doubt our government will realize that a capitalist culture is the root of the problem and work at getting us away from this wasteful system - but I am sure that things will readjust and our economy will bounce back out of this eventually.
When it does, I hope these changes are habits that people keep. For the sake of the environment we share.
Custom Illustration by the fabulous Andre at