Rainforests cover less than 2% of the world's surface area, but are home to 50% of the world's plants and animals.
In the year 2000 half of the world's rainforests had been destroyed. Today, we've lost nearly 64%. If we continue on this trend, all rain forests will be gone by the year 2100.
Palm oil is a major contributor to rainforest destruction, and is in nearly everything we own and use. It's extremely versatile and oxidation-resistant (giving products a longer shelf life). It's the most efficient and therefore cheapest form of vegetable oil.
Malaysia and Indonesia are the only ecosystems that support already endangered species such as the orangutan, pygmy elephant, and Sumatran rhinos.
Continue to the next section for ways you can help the rainforests and their fragile ecosystems.