_The Controversy

    Demand and production of palm oil is increasing all over the world. Palm oil is a cheaply produced mass commodity that is convenient and economical for both businesses and consumers. However, there is a large controversy surrounding the topic of palm oil sustainability. Although there are many benefits to its production, in order to fulfill the demand for palm oil there are also numerous downfalls. Listed below are some pros and cons to help you weigh in on the issue of palm oil sustainability:

Today’s Palm Oil Production

Pros

• Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients.
• Can reduce blood pressure and increase good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol.
• Researchers have found that the rich antioxidants in red palm oil can naturally fight cancer.
• Makes excellent cooking oil and does not lose valuable nutrients when heated.
• Can produce 10 times more than most other vegetable oils using the same amount of land

Cons 

• Increased demand for palm oil results in massive destruction of rainforests.
• Threatens the extinction of animals, specifically orangutans.
• Drastically increases greenhouse gas emissions.
• Production in developing nations leads to violations of labor laws and human rights.
• 83% of the world’s palm oil is produced in Indonesia and Malaysia. If this continues, in 15 years 98% of their rainforests will disappear because of deforestation.