Our food production is critically altering Earth’s life support systems.
Global food production, including animal agriculture, is taking a heavy toll on the environment through habitat loss, carbon dioxide emissions, pollution, soil erosion, eradication of top predator species, and consumption of scarce water resources. Forests and other carbon-sequestering plant life are cleared or burned to provide land for less-biodiverse commercial crops and animal agriculture. The environmental impact of humanity’s dietary dependence on meat, milk, and eggs is profound. Agriculture and commercial fisheries are among the primary drivers of wildlife population and local biodiversity declines—as food production increases, wildlife populations decline, leading to species extinctions.
Forests are Earth’s lungs–they sequester carbon, release oxygen, and protect against global climate change.
When we burn fossil fuels and clear trees, we release heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere.
Global climate change
Every day we make consumer choices that can collectively benefit, or degrade, our planet. What we decide to purchase to wear, eat, or use in our daily lives, has a profound impact on our environment.
Learn MoreLeuser: The Last Place on Earth
The Leuser Ecosystem may be the last place on earth where rare species like Sumatran tigers, orangutans, rhinos, elephants and sun bears live together in the wild–and it is under siege by the palm oil industry.
Learn MoreTake Action
Leuser Ecosystem
Indonesia’s unique Leuser Ecosystem is threatened by the expansion of palm oil plantations.
OPS Victories
Leuser: The Last Place on Earth
OPS’ latest film details the destruction of this highly-biodiverse region by the palm oil industry.
Partner Campaigns
Protect the Leuser Ecosystem
OPS supports Rainforest Action Network’s campaign to protect the Leuser Ecosystem from palm oil production.