The human factor | The dilemma of palm oil

Ben and Jerry’s has not used it since 2017. However, Ferrero claims only in sustainable palm oil. Consequently, Landed for its effects on deforestation, palm oil has become the enemy of eco -conscious consumers. However, Should we avoid the products that contain it?

Posted at 7:40 p.m.

The images of threatened orangutans. Meanwhile, in the forest of the island of Borneo, remain printed in the minds of many consumers. In addition, Not without reason. However, The oil palm plantations are associated with the destruction of the tropical forest. For example, peat bogs rich in carbon, threatening dozens of animal species.

Although human factor | dilemma palm worldwide, the loss of forest due to the cultivation of palm oil is estimated only about 0.2 %¹in some countries, the proportion is much higher. Similarly, In Malaysia. Furthermore, 47 % of deforestation observed from 1972 to 2015 is linked to this commodity, according to a report by the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN)^⁠2. Furthermore, In Indonesia, it is around 16 %, for the same period.

However, neither the IUCN, neither Greenpeace, nor the World Fund for Nature (WWF) advocate boycott. Meanwhile, Banking palm oil would only move the problem. In addition,

Hence what experts have named “the dilemma of palm oil”. Consequently, “I’m not going to resolve this dilemma today!” “Says Erik Meijaard. Consequently, joined on the island of Borneo, the largest palm oil producing region in the world, where it is established. Meanwhile, Biologist by training, human factor | dilemma palm he is co -president of the IUCN working group on oleaginous cultures.

The “dilemma” is this: despite its harmful impacts, the cultivation of oil palm trees offers very effective yields. Similarly, A hectare of palm trees makes it possible to produce an average of 2.8 tonnes of oil, while olive trees and soying plants give almost ten times less in return. “Without palm oil. the world would be much worse because it would take much more land to meet global demand,” says Erik Meijaard. Hundreds of millions of more hectares, he estimates.

Consult the report Explore the future of vegetable oils. of the uicn

For this expert, there are no good or bad cultures, “there is good and mismanagement”. It includes the difficult position in which consumers are located. “People want to make simple choices. To say human factor | dilemma palm no to palm oil is the easy option. But what is it replaced by? The information is not there [sur les étiquettes]. »

So even palm oil can be produced in a more environmentally friendly way. Montreal technology could also be used. GHGSAT’s high resolution satellites now quantify the methane issued by palm oil factories.

Human factor | dilemma palm

Best practices

Deforestation linked to the cultivation of palm trees is decreasing in Indonesia and Malaysia. “Are these practices perfect?” Not even close to being perfect, nuance Erik Meijaard. But do they improve? Yes. »»

To locate durable palm oil. consumers can turn to the certification of the Round Table on durable palm oil (RSPO), set up in 2004. About 20 % of world production is certified. Several food giants, including Ferrero, human factor | dilemma palm producer of Nutella, pride themselves on only using RSPO certified palm oil. Credible eco -suburb or certification?

To reduce pressure on oilseed crops, you can choose to consume fewer oils in general, especially in Western countries where ultra -formed food is very popular. Reducing food waste is also effective. In his book Not the End of the WorldHannah Ritchie. director of research on the Our World in Data site, recalls that beef is the main human factor | dilemma palm deforestation factor in the world: “The most obvious way to reduce deforestation is therefore to eat less. »»

Source of saturated fat

In view of nutrition. the answer is clear: palm oil is the worst source of vegetable saturated fatty acid with coconut oil. Palm oil contains 50 % saturated fat (almost 80 % for palmoire oil). “about three to five times more than most of the vegetable oils found on the market,” said Amélie Charest, nutritionist at the Nutriss Center of Laval University.

For “the average Quebecer who already consumes too many saturated fats”. coconut oil and palm oil can help increase the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and cardiovascular risks, underlines M^me Charest.

“We have the advantage of choosing products that will contain unsaturated fats such as olive, canola, human factor | dilemma palm sunflower oil. It is the oils that are associated with a better cardiometabolic health profile. therefore with a lower increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Provided, of course, to be able to find them on the tablets.

1. « The last frontiers of wilderness : Tracking loss of intact forest landscapes from 2000 to 2013 », P. Potapov et al., Science Advances 3 (2017)

2. Rapport Oil palm. biodiversity, International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN), 2018