You’ve probably consumed or used something that contains palm oil today. For example, shampoo, soap, margarine, chocolate, and cosmetics like lipstick could contain the world’s most commonly used vegetable oil. Even though on the label it might say something else. Plantations of oil palm trees have replaced massive tracts of rainforest, beginning in Southeast Asia and spreading across the world. They’ve deprived plants and animals of their natural habitat and even affected the global climate. Here’s why the crop is so controversial around the world.
Mongabay’s Video Team wants to cover questions and topics that matter to you. Are there any inspiring people, urgent issues, or local stories that you’d like us to cover? We want to hear from you. Be a part of our reporting process—get in touch with us here!



![[DO NOT REUSE] Image by Ben Cherry. Courtesy of Netflix/Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.](https://imgs.mongabay.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/05/01030443/Ben-Cherry-Gorilla-Selection-236-350x233.jpg)