Greetings everyone!
My name is Holly Williams. Today is the first day of my last semester as a Marine Biology undergraduate! I am excited to take on this ecofeminism blog because I have always wanted to create a travel/nature blog. This will be a great introduction to the process.
A few things about myself:
- Devoted vegetarian and animal rights advocate.
- Deep love for nature, conservation, and animals.
- Reading, yoga, running, traveling, and puzzles.
- Snuggles with my rescue pets.
My values are rooted with the ideals of individuals such as Aldo Leopold and John Muir. I believe that all living things are connected no matter how large or small. More importantly, all things have value and no organism is more superior. We are all trying to find our place in the world and we are all on our own journey. Obviously my journey is significantly different compared to that of a Sloth or a Bee! I understand from an anthropomorphic point of view this idea may sound bizarre, but you get the idea though, right? I am digging the idea of ecofeminism since it builds on Leopold’s philosophy that all life is interconnected and their needs to be balance in order to maintain a healthy world. This would mean that humans would need to accept that we are not the hierarchical species. The ecofeminism approach takes this idea further but has a significant twist. It’s approach transforms relationships of domination and removes hierarchical thinking. It also focuses on “looking at our relationship with the environment through a feminist perspective” (professor’s notes).
I searched through a collection of blogs to find one that could act as a model for what I have envisioned mine to be like. Obvi, We’re The Ladies on Feedspot appears to be an empowering and positive place to share ideas about feminism. Their Philosophy is as follows: “We work to inspire others, of all genders, to become more educated on how gender inequality affects everyday life”. I like that they welcome women of different backgrounds and origins. They claim to stand with women no matter what their beliefs are which is pretty cool. It’s a place for all women to feel connected and safe. I’d like my blog to be inviting and warm like this one. Mine needs to be a positive outlet to talk about important issues, explore ideas, and discover solutions to environmental issues. This blog obviously will not model my blog in regards to the human induced environmental issues that we see all around us today.
For instance, who likes candy? Especially MARS chocolate like M&Ms and Snickers? I know I do! But I have been boycotting it for years because of an unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly ingredient called Palm Oil. This ingredient can be found in almost all candy, sweets, chips, shampoos, soaps, and even toothpaste! It’s in everything! Harvesting this ingredient has lead to a human induced extinction event in one of the most intelligent animals on the planet: the Orangutan also known as the Spirit of the Forest. Deforestation and habitat degradation is the number one threat these animals are faced with. Their habitats are destroyed in order to build palm oil plantations and large corporations exploit poor countries for their own selfish capital gains while amazing wildlife disappears in the background. I urge everyone to make an informed decision to boycott products with palm oil and share this knowledge with everyone.
Palm oil has an indirect relevance to where I live because its literally on every isle in the grocery store…I can’t escape it. When grocery shopping, I have to check the ingredients of every new item for traces palm oil. In response to consumers doing this, companies have hidden palm oil under many different names.
For more information on the effects of palm oil:
For alternatives to palm oil:
Finally! A Viable Palm Oil Alternative That Can Save Orangutans and the Rainforests
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If drastic changes are not implemented the three species of Orangutans will face extinction within the next 50 years. We can prevent this outcome by making the pledge to say NO to palm oil. Lets show companies that we don’t want this dirty ingredient in our products.
Holly,
I love seeing a fellow Marine Biology lover here! I am not majoring in MB, but I wanted to so badly. I was already too deep into my major when I transferred that it made no sense to start new, but I still love the subject. I am so happy your brought up the orangutans facing extinction. With my extensive Anthropology background, it’s rare to find others in my classes WGS-related that are aware of these issues. These beautiful creatures don’t deserve this treatment, and should be protected! Thank you for bringing this up.
Have a great weekend!
-Rachel 🙂
Rachel,
I took an ancient civilizations class once and found the study of Anthropology to be very engaging…Your major is exciting! I’m glad that you were already aware consequences of consuming products with palm oil. Spread the word! Its been at least 3 years since I learned about the impacts of buying products with palm oil and I can’t believe companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle refuse to use an alternative ingredient. I figured major changes would have occurred by now. For me personally, it can feel very discouraging and quite honestly depressing. Orangutans and other animals effected by deforestation don’t deserve this. 🙁
Hi Holly,
Wow, I had no idea about palm oil and the dangers it imposes on orangutans. I find it so discouraging and deceptive when an ingredient that is harmful (or has a bad reputation) starts to use different names. Back in May I decided to give the Whole 30 diet a try (I’m not sure if you’re familiar with it) but a person has to pretty much eliminate everything from their diet: legumes, dairy, grains, and sugar to name a few. It’s an elimination diet to see what causes different negative or positive reactions to a person’s body. Anyway, my point in bringing this up in relation to your quest to stop using anything with palm oil is that it was ridiculous how many every day items have sugar in them. I was flabbergasted to see how many foods have sugar in them but not only that they had sugar in them but that the companies decided to start using fancy names for the word “sugar” to trick people into not realizing it was included in their food. There should be stronger regulations on how companies present their food to the public.
I enjoyed reading your blog.
Have a great weekend,
Tara
Hello Holly,
Nice to meet you! I also did not know that Palm Oil was endangering the Orangutan. I have to applaud your boycott of this ingredient and the care you take when going to the grocery store. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog posts!
Take care,
Nina
Hi Holly,
I really enjoyed your blog post, from the looks of your first post it seems as if you are an experienced blogger! I also can relate with your drive for a better and more sustainable use of the environment and natural resources. As a vegan myself, I have had many battles surrounding palm oil and its effects not only on the environment but also the animals it harms in the process of growth and harvest. I’m not sure if you know this but many vegan products from meat substitutes to vegan butter spreads, medicines, and of course sweets like chocolate contain palm oil and most are not sustainably harvested, this brings into question for me and many other vegans is whether or not it is acceptable to consume foods that contain palm oil when the entire idea of a vegan diet is to remain cruelty free. I’ve personally given up honey in the last two years because of the negative effects consuming the product has on the honey bees, but I personally have ignored issues surrounding palm oil out of pure convenience and comfort. I mean honestly, going through my fridge just now I found over 10 products that contained some sort of palm oil, and I’m a vegan! I’m glad you brought up this issue and its effects on the environment and animals because it is very much a sore topic many of us are trying to avoid or ignore. Your post has brought into question some of my own practices and I vow to make the change and purchase fewer products with palm oil and when I do to make sure it is sustainably sourced. I’m attaching a video I watched after reading your blog because I felt it gave a clear and concise explanation of the problem surrounding palm oil and the environments we are placing at risk when consuming palm oil. All in all, your blog was informative, welcoming, and insightful! Can’t wait to read more!
– Mirko Lopes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSumTLrJzdU
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moreover did not know that Palm Oil was imperiling the Orangutan. I ought to commend Hawkeye 2021 Collection your boycott of this fixing and the care you take when aiming to the basic supply store. I’m looking forward to perusing more of your web journal posts!
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