An eight-year-old XCL World Academy (formerly known as GEMS World Academy Singapore) student fights the haze by writing to companies in an appeal to stop using palm oil
Lately, we’ve been bowled over by Singapore’s young humanitarians, with their inspiring volunteer work and fundraising efforts. This week, Maya Wishart, a Grade 2 Student from XCL World Academy (formerly known as GEMS World Academy) decided to take action about the haze situation, by writing to companies that use palm oil in their products.
After reflecting on the haze in Singapore, and its effects on the environment and people’s health, she researched the reasons behind the smoky situation and discovered the link between the haze and palm oil production.
Caused by large-scale forest fires in Indonesia, the air pollution crisis is fuelled by the global demand for palm oil. The effects of the haze not only cause detrimental health effects but severely impacts the environment, including the habitat loss of endangered species.
While the haze in Singapore has been gradually improving, other countries in Southeast Asia are still blanketed in deadly layers of smoke. Much pressure has been placed on major manufacturers from the government but consumers too can play their part in boycotting and speaking out against companies using palm oil – even ones as young as eight-year-old Maya.
Maya has since written to companies who use palm oil in their products, including the company that produces her favourite cookies: Oreos. In an adorably worded letter addressed to “Orio Factory”, she urges the company to think of a better substitute for palm oil in its recipe and to contact her if money is the solution – she even selflessly offers all her pocket money!
Her inspiring activism has since traveled the world through different social media platforms including World Wildlife Fund Singapore. To keep up with Maya’s fight against the haze, follow her on her Twitter page. Go Maya!