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Consumers must take individual responsibility for haze

The haze we suffer is a result of an unprecedented demand for palm oil. Though the cultivation of palm oil itself is not harmful, palm oil is so versatile that it is found in many everyday items like snacks, cosmetics and detergents.

The haze we suffer is a result of an unprecedented demand for palm oil. Though the cultivation of palm oil itself is not harmful, palm oil is so versatile that it is found in many everyday items like snacks, cosmetics and detergents.

It is the most produced and consumed vegetable oil. By 2050, demand is estimated to double. This massive demand magnifies the impact of slash-and-burn practices as small and mid-scale farmers switch to this more profitable crop.

Consumers are complicit in the haze problem. We must take individual responsibility by choosing certified sustainable palm oil. Even better, we should reduce unnecessary consumption.

Governments have managed to muster global and regional co-operation towards resolving environmental issues. Corporations are increasingly showing a willingness to adopt sustainable practices.

Those efforts are futile if individual consumers fail to make responsible, sustainable choices. So the next time we think about having an extra serving of ice cream, perhaps we should also consider the environment.

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