Your One Choice Can Save Forests! #KnowYourPalm

[The Better India logo]( IN PARTNERSHIP WITH [The Better Home logo](  The Better India is proud to deliver stories that will make your day straight to your inbox. Stories of change and changemakers. Of how a strong will transforms into positive impact for the entire community.  Hello, We all want to look fabulous, eat delicious food and generally look and feel healthier. And many times when you are doing these things, you have had an unexpected companion who has been there more times than you think. Whether it is that face cream that leaves you glowing or that snack that makes you smile - palm oil may have played a role.  According to a 2017 study, nearly half of all the products we use contain palm oil. These include edibles like chocolate, ice cream, cosmetics like creams and lipsticks, as well as our soaps, detergents and more. In 2018, the worldwide annual production of palm oil was 77 million tonnes. And India consumes over 12 percent of the global supply. The problem? Oil palm plantations have caused immense damage to the rainforests where they are grown in plantations. The destruction of rich forests also takes away the homes of thousands of animals, including endangered species like the orangutan, rhinos and tigers. Many have suggested we end the production and consumption of palm oil entirely. But such bans rarely work. Not only will unscrupulous manufacturers find ways to source it illegally, but it also destroys the livelihoods of those who grow the product sustainably. A better solution would be to set up standards for manufacturers and growers and enforce those standards by becoming 'conscious consumers'. [Your one choice can save forests! #KnowYourPalm]( Ethical plantations should grow oil palms in a manner that doesn't harm the environment. We consumers must ensure we only consume products of those manufacturers who prove they have sourced their palm oil from such plantations. This is where the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) comes in. RSPO implements long-lasting solutions through credible global standards. When grown according to RSPO standards, oil palm agriculture, the environment, and local communities can co-exist in harmony. RSPO's standards work to protect primary and secondary forests, ensure wildlife habitats are not harmed and safeguard workers, communities, and indigenous people in oil palm producing regions. RSPO has also built a network of manufacturers who agree to ensure that their products (which use palm oil) are sourced by these standards. [You can read more about such companies here.]( The Better India and RSPO: The #KnowYourPalm initiative #KnowYourPalm is an initiative to make a conscious choice to demand products that contain certified sustainable palm oil. Say NO to brands that may encourage deforestation, fire, destruction of endangered species habitats, planting on peat, and exploitation. At the same time, say YES to those that support the livelihood of those living and working in oil palm plantations and the environment. The power to bring change lies in YOU. Ask your favourite brands if their products contain Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). [Here's how you can make a difference](   [NID Graduates Innovate Low-Cost, Water-Resistant Shoes For Farmers From Wool](  NID Graduates Innovate Low-Cost, Water-Resistant Shoes For Farmers From Wool “During those six months, we spoke to several farmers and noticed one common problem — none of them had appropriate footwear. While working under the hot sun, or in a sloshy field, all the farmers walked barefoot. This not only caused deep cracks in their feet but also made them prone to fungal infections and snake bites,” Santosh, tells The Better India. In 2019, they launched a company named Earthen Tunes headquartered in Hyderabad. So far, they have provided 30 farmers with comfortable shoes, and are in the process of making 1,000 more. [Read The Story](   [Shillong Venture ‘Making Farmers Famous’, Supplies World’s Finest Turmeric](  Shillong Venture ‘Making Farmers Famous’, Supplies World’s Finest Turmeric Lakadong Valley in the picturesque West Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya is famous for its special type of turmeric – Lakadong Turmeric. This wonder spice is known to have an exceptionally high curcumin content thanks to favourable soil, climate and environmental conditions. While your regular supermarket varieties of turmeric usually have 3% to 5% curcumin content, Lakadong Turmeric goes as high as 12%, according to a test conducted in 2020 at a Kolkata-based FSSAI-approved laboratory. As a consequence, Lakadong Turmeric possesses significant health benefits, while also giving it a rich flavour, strong aroma and vibrant orange-yellow colour.  [Read The Story](   [Dia Mirza with The Better Home]( Your regular cleaners could be killing you. Switch to [The Better Home](, powerful cleaning with non-toxic, eco-friendly ingredients that are safe for babies, senior citizens and even pets. [Try Now!](   Meet us on  [The Better India on Instagram](   [The Better India on facebook](   [The Better India on Twitter](   [The Better India on LinkedIn](   [The Better India on LinkedIn](  Copyright © 2021 The Better India, All rights reserved. The Better India, 402, 4th Floor, Prestige Feroze 74, Cunningham Road, Bangalore 560052, India You signed up for our newsletter on our website - []( Don't want to hear from us again? We'll be sad to see you go. [Unsubscribe](. [The Better India logo footer](