YL Interview With A Purpose: Madison and Rhiannon: Sustainable Palm Oil & Project Orangs

Page 1


MADISON AND RHIANNON were preparing for their Girl Scout Bronze Award, when they discovered a shocking fact. And it was right in time for their favorite treat: Girl Scout cookies! The 11 year old friends were researching the endangered Orang Utan and found that the production of palm oil contributes to the destruction of the Orang

Utans'

rainforest

habitat.

In

a

powerful online campaign, they mobilized over 70,000 people and generated such broad media coverage that Girl Scouts USA adopted a sustainable palm oil policy for their products as a result. This is a step in the right direction but the girls are not done yet. Madi and Rhiannon are working to start a movement demanding responsible palm oil sources to ensure the protection of the forests, animals, and people of Southeast Asia, South America and Africa. Join them in the fight! YL Article: http://bit.ly/185S5HO Video: http://bit.ly/185SeuU Web: http://bit.ly/185PFJn

Our Interviews for Change or Interviews With A Purpose take you deeper into the changemaker's journey, to feel into their skin, learn about amazing moments, see how change unfolds and also how to bring about change – from the spirit of changemakers, what gives them strength to keep going – to key steps in implementing this particular model solution. Before you read these interviews, you should have read their story and watched their videos. Then, you are ready to dig deeper and find answers to your questions – how does it work in detail, how did they make this happen? By the end of these interviews, you will really know how this works, how it feels – and what steps to take to implement this solution in your sphere of influence. WHY ELSE would you want to read an interview in these intense times? We believe that media serve the upliftment of society, just like every meaningful communication between sane humans does. And in times of crisis – it means conveying the spirit, knowledge, solutions, tools and support networks for overcoming the crisis. Indeed, we may be re-defining the true meaning of media – and it's just about time. YL is not for edutainment. Everything YL serves to advance the great quest of our era: creating an awesome civilisation of Abundance for All! And making you a hero bringing it about, and evolving toweards qualifying as an inhabitant of a global, peaceful, just, sustainable and thriving civilisation of awesome. In one word: Paradise.

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Eric, YL: Madi, Rhiannon, my pleasure to meet

learn about this issue and show support in a

In sixth grade, we met on our school’s basketball

you. Where are you right now?

positive manner.

team and became best friends. After learning that we were both Girl Scouts, we decided to

Madi: Hey! Great to meet you.

earn our Girl Scout Bronze Awards together

Rhiannon: I’m sitting in the library at my school

YL: Wow, that’s some exciting itinerary. Mine

which required us to pick an issue that we were

right now!

was a bit more simple around 17. And what’s

passionate about and raise awareness within

coming?

our community. Inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall’s incredible work with the chimpanzees, we began

YL: Alright – I’m at my desk, the sun is shining,

Our plan moving forward is still very much in

to research another great ape, the endangered

and we’ve got lots to talk about – so let’s get

progress! This is an exciting time of transition

orangutan. We discovered the biggest reason

started right away. You’ve been super busy this

for us as we graduate from high school and

orangutans are threatened is the destruction of

year. What’s been happening lately?

move on to college. Our current goals are to

their rainforest habitat for palm oil plantations.

earn our Girl Scout Gold Awards and to

During one of our countless sleepovers, we

This year we’ve spent a lot of time in California!

encourage other youth to get involved in this

stumbled upon photos of orangutans that had

We were out there for two weeks in October

issue. This summer we are headed to New York

been beaten and killed as a result of the palm oil

keynoting at several conferences (Bioneers and

City

Youth

industry. We both sat there with tears in our

Passion into Action), and speaking with youth

Leadership retreat and the United Nations

eyes, and decided that we had to speak out

groups at zoos. A connection that we made after

Youth Assembly.

about this tragedy.

for

the

annual

Roots&Shoots

speaking at Bioneers allowed us to go back out to the Bay Area in January to present at several schools about the work we’ve done and help

How it all Started

students follow their passions to create ripples

YL: At this moment, was it like your worldview of the Good World broke apart?

of change. We also went out to Philadelphia last

YL: I find this story extraordinary, and I would

November to accept the Emerging Conservation

like to see it continue towards success. Can we

Our project began with this Bronze Award

Leadership Award at the Philadelphia Zoo’s

start at the beginning? What was the moment

project, but the moment it really took off was

Global Conservation Gala. We’ve worked closely

that the portal to this truth opened? Was it a

when

with the Philadelphia Zoo to create a “Guardian

video? Were you both together?

ingredient, palm oil, was in the Girl Scout

of the Rainforest” badge to allow Girl Scouts to

we

discovered

that

the

dreaded

cookies we’d sold since childhood. Part of the Girl Scout Law includes “to make the world a


better place” so we were shocked that an

Madi: I have been an animal lover my entire

organization that had taught us such strong

life. When I came across these pictures of

YL: So, there was the quest! What was the first

values was contributing to such grave social and

orangutans that had been tortured for entering

step and experience?

environmental issues. We decided to make it our

a palm oil plantation I was shocked. I had never

mission to bring this issue to the attention of our

considered that an ingredient in my favorite

The first step was setting out to bring this issue

national organization and ensure Girl Scout

cookie or candy bar, could impact the lives of

to the attention of our national organization. We

cookies became rainforest-safe.

animals on the other side of the planet. As I grew

decided to make use of all of the leadership skills

up in this project, I realized that unsustainable

we’d learned through Girl Scouting and put

palm oil is also linked to grave social abuses like

them to work.

YL: It’s so strong despite being so far away,

child and slave labor. I felt that it was my

huh? Did you have a special relation to Great

responsibility to convince our own organization,

Apes before? Or is it a senselessness in it that is

Girl Scouts USA, to do the right thing.

so shocking? Can you put it all together?

YL: How was it received? And what obstacles did you encounter as you moved forward?

Rhiannon: We both shared the same hero, Dr.

YL: How did you react to it? How did you

Most of the Girl Scouts, students our age, and

Jane Goodall, so it was her incredible work with

overcome the shock?

consumers have all been intrigued by our story

the chimpanzees that lead us to research other

and want to do something to help. One of the

Great Apes and come across the orangutan. It

Realizing that palm oil was in Girl Scout cookies

biggest obstacles we faced was proving that

can sometimes be difficult to relate to an issue

was definitely the turning point for our work.

even though we were young, our message was

that is happening so far away, but as 11 year

After making the connection between the

important and valid. We persisted and did our

olds we sat there during one of our sleepovers

destruction of the orangutans’ rainforest habitat

best to learn as much as possible about the palm

researching this issue and crying as we read

and palm oil, we began checking everything in

oil industry so that we could be effective

stories

was

our pantries and grocery store shelves. It was

advocates.

happening. It was this raw emotion that

the middle of Girl Scout cookie season when we

inspired us to begin this project and stick with it

flipped over a box of cookies to look at the

for so many years. We didn’t see any young

ingredients label and were horrified to find that

YL: I imagine this can be intimidating, to step

people our age speaking out about this issue so

palm oil was in cookies we’d sold since first

up to authorities. Did you ever feel awkward

we set out to do just that.

grade.

and had to take all your courage together?

and

saw

pictures

of

what


We’ve identified five skills we think are key to

Rhiannon: I think that having each other has

with a community who had been displaced and

being a successful advocate, and courage is one

been so key to our success. We each bring a

had their land stolen for palm oil corporations

of

Giving

unique set of skills and talents to the table so

and even now, live under constant threat from

presentations and talking about this issue can be

being able to combine our strengths has allowed

the paramilitary. Talking with these brave

nerve-wracking but we’ve been able to rely on

us to succeed in ways that a single individual

people and hearing their stories made us come

each other for support. Although it isn’t always

could not have done. It would have been so easy

home with a new perspective and appreciation

easy to put yourself and your cause out there,

to get discouraged or give up during all of the

for the luxuries, like our safety, that we enjoy

nothing will change unless you do. You have to

difficult times, but because we so deeply cared

every day.

be brave enough to take that first step and put

about this issue we knew that we had to keep

your cause before your own fears.

fighting and keep moving forward.

the

most

important

ones.

YL: Most disappointing? YL: You really know your facts and are

Experiences on the Trail

steadfast about your conviction and cause. This sure helps. What else gives you the strength to

Madi: Through this project, I’ve learned so much about myself and how the business and the

YL: What were most touching moments?

move forward?

nonprofit world works. I’m grateful to have had incredible experiences like gaining the support

There have been so many touching moments.

of the United Nations Forum on Forests and my

Madi: Passion has kept me going these past

One of the best experiences is getting to talk to

hero, Dr. Jane Goodall. There have been

seven years. There have been many setbacks

other youth about our work and teach them how

disappointments of course, and a lot of stress

and obstacles but each time we’ve persisted

to follow their own passions to make the world a

and pressure at times, but I try not to be

because this issue is hurting communities

better place. If we can reach just one kid, then

negative. Nothing is perfect, and activism isn’t

around the world. I have an obligation as a

our time spent making that presentation was

easy. I’m disappointed that Girl Scouts USA still

consumer to demand truly sustainable products

worthwhile.

does not have a strong enough palm oil policy,

and I want other people to embrace this

but I’m not going to give up until I see the issue

responsibility. I didn’t see anyone else setting an

Separately, another really touching experience

through.

example, so I made up my mind at 11 years old,

was our trip to Colombia in the fall of 2011. We

that I would use my voice and speak up.

had the opportunity to see another side of the

Rhiannon: I always look for the good in things,

palm oil industry, the human rights abuses

so even though we have had some tough

occurring in South America. We were staying

moments I don’t know that I would change


much about our journey. I do think though that

YL: You have received a lot of support, too. I

doing and even signed our original petition back

it’s disappointing it took us five years to capture

think you – as teens – can achieve much more

in 2008! Another great group of allies that we’ve

Girl Scout USA’s attention and for them to adopt

than grown-ups speaking up, for several

met is through the Brower Youth Awards

an initial policy on palm oil. With that being

reasons. Where are ways that grown-ups can

program. We were chosen as recipients of this

said though, at least we’ve finally reached the

help?

award back in 2011 along with five other youth

point to have a dialogue with them and I truly do appreciate that.

from around the country. Although each One of the biggest things that adults can do is

recipient had a very different cause, we each

recognize that what young people have to say

shared

matters. This can be as simple as attending a

change. Connecting with each of these incredible

YL: Were there moments of disbelief in … grown

presentation or taking action through one of

young leaders and being able to share stories

ups, such as business? I mean, it’s not that they

their campaigns. We would also encourage any

and swap inspiration has been a huge benefit.

don’t know, do they?

adults who know a young person that is

the

same

passion

for

creating

passionate about a cause to reach out and offer Unfortunately, a lot of people simply don’t know

their assistance. We could not be where we are

YL: Have you entered some cooperations? Such

about this issue. For example, when talking with

today without the help of some really incredible

as, has your story been featured on their

a business one of their employees showed us

people who have supported us in so many

newsletters, to better address a youth audience,

pictures from a recent trip to Southeast Asia and

different ways.

have they shared information with you, are you

remarked on how beautiful the palm plantations

in contact with rescue stations … and so on?

were. This person wasn’t trying to be malicious, but it served as an example of how many people,

YL: You must have met many other warriors

Our success has been directly linked to our

even those directly working on supply chain

along the way. Which allies in particular did you

ability to work with a variety of social and

issues, haven’t yet made this connection. That’s

meet?

environmental organizations on this issue. In

why we’ve focused so heavily on education

2010, we realized that our voices alone were not

because before change can happen, people need

We had the opportunity to meet Dr. Jane

going to be enough to change the Girl Scouts’

to know that there are consequences to

Goodall a couple times through our involvement

policy so we worked with organizations to turn

unsustainable palm oil production.

with her organization for young people, Roots &

up the volume on our message. These groups

Shoots. To have the opportunity to share our

have been able to assist us with everything from

story with her meant the world to us. She has

designing

Growing Support

been so incredibly supportive of what we’re

new

campaigns,

to

setting

up


speaking opportunities, to pushing our story out

Advisers, to help us share our story with these

In 2011, we traveled to their headquarters in

through their social networks.

outlets.

New York City to meet with a team of their staff

A

lot

of

our

coverage

gathered

organically. For example, once we were in the

who work on these kinds of issues.

Wall Street Journal several television shows YL: Do you actually speak at schools? What’s the

called wanting to feature us (that’s how we

role of young people in this, so far?

ended up on the CBS Early Show!)

YL: How was the meeting? Were they positive about their environmental heroes, or reserved

We do speak at schools and this is one of the

for being grilled and seeing their multi-billion

most fun parts of our project! In January, we

Confronting the Institution

cookie legend losing its crumble?

were out in California speaking with several schools in California. We want young people to

YL: Then, there’s the institution of course. Girl

It was scary to sit in a conference room across

know that their voices can be heard and that

Scouts. You’ve had a long history of exchange

the table from these professionals who work on

they can make a difference. We’ve encourage

with them over the years. Please tell me more

the Girl Scout cookie business as their full time

our peers to get involved with our campaigns

about it. This is so remarkable.

jobs. But as a whole, the meeting went fairly

along every step of the way but also to realize

well. As frustrating as our campaign might be to

that they can go out within their own

We both grew up in the Girl Scout organization

them, they recognized that this is exactly what

community and launch their own projects.

and in the beginning of our project, we thought

Girl Scouting is about and they made sure that

that

change

they knew how proud they were of us. Out of

things. Unsurprisingly that was not the case and

that meeting came a commitment to look into

YL: Besides informing youth, I’ve found an

it took us five years of grassroots organizing

this issue, and their new policy was announced

impressive trail of media coverage. They react

and media attention to secure a meeting with

six months later. The Girl Scouts adopted a palm

really positive to your story! How has this

them in 2011. During those five years, we did

oil policy. Right now, they are purchasing

happened? Do they meet you at events? Do you

have a short conference call with executives but

GreenPalm certificates to offset their use of

you send press releases?

that did not lead anywhere and there was no

unsustainable palm oil and have pledge to move

follow up.

towards sustainable sources by 2015, depending

We’ve

been

really

fortunate

that

a

single

email

would

media

on market availability

organizations have found our story interesting and have wanted to cover it! We’ve worked with some great groups of people, including Climate

YL: And then they reacted. Were you invited?


YL: You have mentioned before that this is not

having truly rainforest-safe Girl Scout cookies is

Girl Scouts encompasses all sorts of activities.

enough Forests keep being clearcut, Orang Utan

a must. When girls sell their cookies, there

Each troop gets to chose the programs that they

populations get burned, people abused… You

should be no question as to whether or not

are interested in doing which means that it’s a

know so much about the issue by now – what

they’re contributing to rainforest destruction or

very personalized experience.

logical steps do you propose to follow next?

human rights abuses.

This policy is a good step in the right direction (and

is

the

first

policy

change

in

the

YL: So it’s for the interaction and appreciation The Girl Scout Experience

for nature?

organization’s history ever driven directly by girls!) but we do not see it as the solution to the

YL: What’s life like at the girl scouts? Tell me of

With that being said, there are a lot of

issue. Right now, the palm oil in those cookies is

some great moments.

opportunities to learn about nature and care for

still contributing to environmental and social

nature through the camping trips and badge

issues. Purchasing GreenPalm certificates does

Madi: There have been many highlights of my

nothing but change what’s on the box (if you buy

Girl Scout experience. In elementary school,I

Girl Scout cookies, you’ll notice a small

loved going to camp where I learned how to

GreenPalm sustainability logo on the box). Even

horseback ride. Overall, I just really enjoyed

YL: Do you learn of the history of places? Do

once they transition to certified sustainable

getting to try new things through all of the

you sing?

palm oil, the process of certification is so weak

different badge programs.

that there is no guarantee that these issues are

programs.

You can!

not still happening. We hope to see the Girl

Rhiannon: I’ve been a Girl Scout since first

Scouts go above and beyond this scheme to

grade and have had so many incredible

adopt a policy that is truly deforestation-free

experiences from camping to a trip to Chicago to

YL: So, it also includes natural and cultural

and socially-responsible.

collecting donations for a homeless shelter.

heritage. Do you learn to take care for nature, too?

YL: So it’s all in true Girl Scout spirit again… Like we said, part of the Girl Scout Law is “to make the world a better place” so we believe that

YL: So it’s not just physical activity in nature,

Being a responsible citizen is a huge part of Girl

sort of nature sports?

Scouts, so appreciation for nature is a key component of that.


identify that global impact immediately, but by YL: Like elves? Stewards of the Earth?

There are a lot of opportunities to take action

doing your research and remaining conscious of

and get recognition for it! For example, there is

this issues you can be a smart, responsible

I suppose… never heard Girl Scout being

an awards program where you can earn your

consumer.

compared to elves though!

Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards for getting involved in your local, national or global community.

YL: I think that you really hold a powerful

YL: And you even go through mission levels, so

magic wand in your hand. Do you see what I

to say, for gaining badges, right? What are

mean, Potter and LOTR style? (Lord of the

those?

YL: That’s great. But at the same time, today,

Rings)

Girl Scout cookie oil is destroying the forests, Sorta. Girl Scouts is divided into levels based on

animals and habitats that Girl Scouts overseas

Absolutely. Our age, while it appears to be a

grades: Daisy (K-1), Brownie (2-3), Junior (4-5),

may work to protect!

disadvantage, has been a strength. Because we

Cadette (6-8), Senior (9-10), Ambassador (1112).

are young, we can imagine a vision that Sadly.

appears irrational and can dream in a way that is not limited by an adult’s perspective. Stepping Forward

YL: I like the way they do this. It’s like levels in rolepaying. Do they get ever more challenging?

YL: Might this growing conflict of catching up

YL: And it’s a magic wand of pure, simple magic

And what are topics did others present about?

with the globalized world be the reason for the

that everyone understands. A tools that every

grand recognition you receive – and also the

youth can wield on a local level. This I would

You move from one level to another as your

fact

like every yl reader to know. And to feel this in

grade level increases in school.

institution has to react to two kids?

that

the

huge

multi-million

member

their hand. Do you sense that there is a sense of Earth Stewardship among your generation and

This issue is an example of how globalized our

the younger ones – to speak out their values and

YL: That’s awesome! So there’s a lot of

world has become. The products that we

new ways?

awareness for taking action for good causes?

purchase in our groceries stores here at home

Like activists? Like for local ocean turtles and

are having an impact on an ecosystem, species

Kids are beginning to realize how important it is

beach protection and the likes?

or group of people somewhere. It can be hard to

to protect our earth, because it’s the only one


that we’ve got. We can’t wait until we grow up to

become

leaders,

because

adults

If

you

have

any

contacts

at

zoos,

the

are

YL: Looks like this Girl Scout generation is

Philadelphia Zoo is very open to helping us get

compromising our future. We must speak up

ready. The generations before them grew up

our badge program into as many zoos as

today.

different. They don’t have this sense. It’s the

possible. We would really appreciate your help

youth who can do it. And their voices are strong,

getting the word out.

as you have proven. What an exciting potential! YL:That’s a very uplifting thought. And it’s new!

Are their Take Action Kits for girl scouts to turn

If I imagine so many young people involved in

their values into action, also on international

YL: Oh – you have my word – dear reader, by

this… wow. How many Girl Scouts are there

levels, – and palm oil, for example? We’ll

you a citizen, kid or teacher – please check the

today?

definitely add it to the YL Take Action Pack on

link to the resource for zoos and forward to your

sustainable palm oils.

local zoo. It will be a great resource for them,

Roughly 2 million.

the kids – and also link to Madi and Rhiannon’s We

Youth have new, unprecedented Powers

have

developed

a

“Guardian

of

the

thriving and important initiative to achieve

Rainforest patch with the Philadelphia Zoo”

sustainable palm oil production for protection of

which we’d like to encourage all Girl Scouts to

rainforests, their animals and local populations.

check out and get involved with! We’ve attached YL: That’s huge! In one nation. That’s like in

the information for you to check out! Hundreds

every single school. Just two days ago, I came

of scouts have earned our patch to show

across a video of a Girl Scout speaking in Rio de

support!

Taking it to the next Level

Janeiro explaining that there are Girl Scout

Okay, there’s more we have to discuss to making

organisations in all but six nations on Earth.

this happen.

That’s huge. They must be speaking about one

YL: Wow, this is massive. The booklet is

hundred languages or more. How are reactions

fantastic. I like the idea of a badge. I think many

You also mention that it doesn’t mean there is

by international youth that you’ve been meeting

of our readers will like the idea and propose this

any control or safety that the oils are actually

at the UNITED NATIONS and elsewhere?

to their local zoos. Do you think the Philadelphia

from rainforest and Orang proof environments.

Zoo will permit that other zoos also offer this

So, in the end – there are zero changes made by

resource to their young guests?

Girl Scouts on the issue, apart from polite

Most people that we get to talk to react really positively to this issue and are just interested in seeing where their voice can fit in.

smiles?


There have been steps in the right direction, but

YL: There is another nut to crack. You mention

opportunity to go there and speak with their

we look forward to continuing our dialogue

that the major importers of palm oil are India

executives about our work and to share our

with them to ensure that Girl Scout cookies are

and China. Do you have comparative numbers

thoughts

truly rainforest-safe.

for the US, Europe, India and China? There you go:

YL: And then, the big invisible giant behind

YL: It’s really hard to bite that things go so

http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/?

them all. Cargill. What’s Cargill?

slowly. It’s almost like the lame industry

commodity=palm-oil&graph=imports

statement, avoiding responsibility, going on

Cargill is one of the world’s largest corporations

with business as usual at full steam.

and the biggest supplier of palm oil in the United YL: What does South America use? They fry

That’s a hard reality. Like I said, it’s the young

States.

stuff and have candy bars, too.

who have to introduce the change. It’s an adventure, but tens of thousands of kids, and

Palm oil is also grown and used in South

YL: So, it’s like the big invisible phantom in the

parents, by the way, have a lot of leverage

America. We had the opportunity to travel to

background. That’s an unimaginable number.

power. A lot.

Colombia and witness first-hand the effects of

And truly, a hub to turn around. As such a

the palm oil industry. In South America, there is

major global player, they have a lot of leverage

still environmental destruction occurring but

power, I reckon. Have you talked to them?

YL: So, what next?

many of the issues are more human rights focused. Communities have been displaced and

Not yet,

although that’s something we’re

We’re currently in the process of completing our

their land has been stolen by corporations for

definitely interested in pursuing. Cargill is being

Gold Awards and then look forward to seeing

palm oil plantations

targeted by some major environmental groups,

what shape this project will take for us as

including the Rainforest Action Network, so

college students!

we’ve allowed them to do the negotiations. YL: You have talked to Kellog’s. How is that experience? Taking it Global

Alternative Oils It was a really interesting experince! They’re headquartered here in Michigan so we had the


YL: What do you believe are conflicting

YL: Would prices change? For me, changing to

interests? Is it truly profits? Is palm oil such an

organic coffee, really only makes about 1 cent

incredible product to make money?

per cup. That’s like nothing, and it gives people

Absolutely!

clean water and fair incomes. What about palm Palm oil is a very inexpensive oil which is

oil?

YL: Was the transition hard? It can cause

obviously important, and it is also has unique

cravings like addiction does. I’m not joking.

properties that make it a good shortening and a

There would likely be a small increase in price,

good glue to hold chocolate onto a product, for

but that’s little to pay in return for protecting

We do miss Girl Scout cookies and some of our

example

our planet and its inhabitants.

favorite candy bars once in a while, but this project has made us so much healthier! Since a majority of processed goods contain palm oil,

YL: What alternative oils are available? I have

The big Cookie Issue!

we’ve cut most of that out of our diet.

learned that there exist alternatives, like coconut oil. After all, there have been cookies before

YL: Speaking convenience – how has your

palm oil.

cookie consumption been since you opened the

YL: Okay, so – and also your environment didn’t

door to palm oil truth?

dump you? You kept your friends and family?

after trans-fats became an issue they switched

We made the personal decision to stop eating

Yes! Even though our friends thought it was

over to palm oil. A blend of oils could be used in

and purchasing products with palm oil, and no

weird when we started going through their

place of palm oil, but we’re also advocating for

longer sell Girl Scout cookies. We haven’t called

lunch boxes to check for palm oil and our family

truly deforestation-free sources of palm oil. We

for an official boycott of Girl Scouts cookies

was a little bummed to see their favorite

want companies to go above and beyond the

because those funds are so crucial to the success

products disappear from grocery store carts,

current “sustainable” palm oil guidelines and

of the organization and all of the girls. We just

they’ve all been incredibly supportive of what

use sources that are legal, traceable and not

educate people about this issue and let them

we’re doing.

contributing to destruction. Nestle adopted such

make their own decisions.

Companies used to use hydrogenated oils, but

a policy and while it is still in the process of being implemented, we are hopeful that other companies will be able to follow suit.

YL: Okay, if it’s safe for kids to say Stop to old YL: And you are still alive, still smiling. Have you found other crunchy delights?

Cookies, is there something you suggest around


the season, to raise awareness and support a

We work very closely with Orangutan Outreach

schools to be the change – for example on UN

transition? What have you been doing?

and encourage everyone to check out their

Days of Youth, Peace, Forests…?

website (www.redapes.org) to donate and find We encourage consumers to contact the Girl

other ways to support.

Definitely! We would be really interested in

Scouts, by email, phone or by writing a letter, to

participating in any of the UN Days. We will

let them know that they’re concerned about this

actually be there this summer for the UN’s Youth

issue. We encourage Girl Scouts themselves to

YL: Do they provide materials for people to

Assembly. We will be in close touch to move

do the same and to check out our Guardian of

reach out, like posters and teaching tools?

forward together.

the Rainforest badge as a positive way to get involved and take action.

They have all sorts of great resources available. YL: Great – that was supposed to be my final line! So be it.

Helping Orang Utans & Tools for Action

YL: Great! What else should we put into a comprehensive info and action-kit?

YL: What can be done for Orang Utans on-site, by the way?

Fact sheets about this issue, information for companies that are involved, resources on: how

Raising awareness about palm oil is crucial

to write a letter to these companies, how to draft

because this industry is the leading cause of

a letter to the editor to raise awareness, how to

their habitat destruction. However, you can also

design a presentation to talk about this issue.

support organizations like Orangutan Outreach who are working on the ground to rescue and rehabilitate orangutans affected by this crisis.

YL: Wow, Ladies – I think we’re done. Thank you very much for sharing so much precious information about this vital issue – and we hope

YL: Do you work with some? How can people

to play our part with YL to advance towards

support them?

global, sustainable industries, – in our lifetime! Are you in for Youth LeadeR webcasts involving

THIS DOCUMENT IS GOING TO BE EDITED AND BEAUTIFIED WITH PHOTOS, VIDEOS, AND LINKS TO THE TAKE ACTION PACK; POSTERS AND MORE. Many of these are already available via the Yl website.



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