Answer:
ELIMINATE DEFORESTATION FROM YOUR DIET
It may not be well known, but many of the foods we eat are grown on deforested lands. For example, beef, soybean, and palm oil are main drivers of deforestation in the Amazon basin. Fortunately, we can limit our contribution to these destructive industries. Reduce your meat intake, and buy your meat from local farms that use sustainable practices. Check your food product labels for soy or palm oil ingredients, and buy alternatives when possible. Choosing sustainably produced foods and products forces companies to change their practices.
2. BUY RESPONSIBLY SOURCED PRODUCTS
Choosing products that are responsibly sourced or made from recycled materials can go a long way to curbing tropical deforestation. For example, mining for precious metals is a leading cause of deforestation and river pollution in the Amazon. Ask your jeweler if they use recycled gold and other recycled metals in their pieces. Similarly, logging for threatened woods – like Mahogany, Rosewood, and Ebony – drives rainforest destruction. Avoid products made from tropical hardwoods, like guitars and furniture. Use paper products made from recycled pulp, or choose products that have been certified by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council. You can also refrain from purchasing products from companies who score poorly in terms of eliminating deforestation from their supply chains.
3. CHOOSE PRODUCTS THAT GIVE BACK
It’s best to buy less. But when you do buy, choose companies that donate to environmental causes. Teadora, which offers a line of skin care products, works with Rainforest Foundation US to protect 141k hectares of rainforest habitat for multiple endangered species, and to plant more than 1 million trees in an area that is sacred to the Wapichan People. There are hundreds of companies – specializing in a variety of products – that give back to the environment. Certified B Corporations has narrowed down some of the best.
4. SUPPORT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Buying artisanal and fair trade products made by indigenous peoples is a unique and effective way to protect rainforests and sustainable livelihoods. Know who to buy from to be sure you are not inadvertently supporting companies that benefit from cultural appropriation. Your best bet is to buy from indigenous-owned companies or from services like Ten Thousand Villages, which sells ethically-produced products sourced directly from indigenous and low-income communities around the world. Next time you travel, consider visiting communities through ecotourism. Ecotourism gives you an opportunity to learn about new cultures and directly supports indigenous peoples.
