Nicolas Alexandre, senior at the University of Arizona, President of the Palm Oil Awareness Initiative

Kim Kelly, Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology the University of Arizona, Co-Founder and advisor/member of Palm Oil Awareness Initiative

Stacey Tecot, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Arizona, Co-Founder and Academic Advisor of Palm Oil Awareness Initiative

Did you know that palm oil is the MOST consumed edible oil today? And that because of its versatility, the demand worldwide has tripled over the last few decades. Palm oil is cheap and often substituted for cocoa butter and is semi-solid at room temperature. I like to think of it as one of those ingredients I call “what lies beneath.” It’s in lots of chocolate, frying oil, baked goods, breakfast cereals, cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products. Palm oil is in such demand that much of Southeast Asia, especially Borneo and Sumatra, have grown massive plantations of this crop – all at the very tragic expense of the rainforests and their inhabitants. Because of my deep love and respect for the rainforests, this show will be a tough one for me. But trust me when I say it will be one well worth listening to and I am ready for the challenge. This show sponsored by The University of Arizona.