Activists Urge Starbucks To Stop Using Palm Oil

It's widely known that the chopping down of trees in the rainforest is causing quick deforestation, but not many know that some of that the destruction is in the name of pastries.

Izilwane–Voices for Biodiversity is teaming up with primatologist Paula Pebsworth and other activists to petition to Starbucks to stop using palm oil in its pastries, according to National Geographic. Every hour, an area the size of 300 football fields of rainforest is cleared for the production of oil palms. "Over 50,000 orangutans have already died as a result of deforestation due to palm oil production in the last two decades," the petition reads. "If you love orangutans and elephants more than pastries, then pass on the pastries until Starbucks changes their recipes to exclude palm oil or at the very least uses a sustainable source."

While there are sustainable alternatives to palm oil, only half of the sustainable alternative is purchased each year, according to National Geographic. Activists are pledging to boycott the coffee giant, and "pass on the pastries" until Starbucks agrees to use the alternative. The activists are sending letters to the Starbucks headquarters in Seattle in accordance with World Orangutan Day on August 16.