Palm oil problems for orangutans

July 27, 2007

The race to produce palm oil threatens endangered orangutans in Borneo. Palm oil is riding high in the commodities charts, rising 40% in 2006 and is the world's second most popular edible oil after soy. Demand is also soaring for palm oil-derived bio-fuel, despite objections from critics who slam the "green" alternative to crude oil as "deforestation diesel" because of the destruction wreaked on forests to make way for palm plantations.