Starbucks Pilloried for Conflict Palm Oil

Remember when we took the palm oil challenge–was it as eye-opening for you as it was for me? Get ready to open them even wider: Now Starbucks is involved.

As I learned from taking the challenge, the palm oil industry is associated with serious problems of deforestation and the abuse of animals and indigenous people, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia where 85% of global production takes place. Rainforest the size of 300 football fields is cleared for palm oil production every hour.

That’s because palm oil is used in nearly half of household products sold today–including those sold at Starbucks, which I’m proud to say I’ve successfully boycotted since January. A SumofUs petition that’s gathered more than 170,000 signatures at press time asks Starbucks to commit to cutting conflict palm oil from their supply chains.

Think that’s too hard? McDonald’s, KFC, Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme have all taken the pledge. Starbucks–the world’s largest coffee retailer–missed its own self-imposed deadline to source 100% sustainable palm oil by this year.

As the petition states: “It’s time to amplify the movement to transform the palm oil industry and make sure that Starbucks is the next domino to fall.”

Point taken. Click here to sign!