To save endangered species, we must protect the world’s tropical forests. Doing so will also help stabilize our climate. We’re doing our part by urging companies to commit to stop cutting down these great forests—a commitment known as zero-deforestation. Many of the companies that harvest and use palm oil have already agreed to make this commitment. Now we’re focusing on the beef and soybean supply chain.
Environment America is urging companies to stop cutting down any tropical forest—a commitment known as “zero deforestation.”
It’s a big ask. In the past, many companies considered deforestation to be the quickest, cheapest path to profit in the palm oil, soybean, beef and other agricultural commodity industries.
But this mindset is starting to change.
In 2012, only 5 percent of palm oil refineries had committed to zero deforestation. By 2017, after five years of action and advocacy by environmental groups, the number grew to 74 percent. The results: More of the world’s vanishing wild animals stand a fighting chance of survival. And, instead of burned and cut-down forests releasing at least 1.5 gigatons of carbon into the planet's atmosphere, this carbon has stayed in the ground.
Now we’re applying consumer demand to convince companies in the soybean and beef industries to commit to zero deforestation and, once they have committed, to hold them to that promise. These companies grow soybeans and raise cattle primarily in Latin America, but they include companies based in or doing business in the U.S., such as Cargill, Bunge and McDonald’s.
Drag the image to view more: A cattle ranch is cut out of tropical forest in Ecuador.
We must act now.
Protecting the world's forests is one of the simplest and most effective ways of saving endangered animals and slowing down global warming.
We see the world’s tropical forests as vital resources to be protected, not exploited as species disappear and the planet overheats. If you agree, please join us.