Girl Scouts Pledge Action on Palm-Oil Use

Girl Scouts of the USA, responding to an environmental campaign started by two teenage scouts, said Wednesday that it will change its policies on using palm oil in Girl Scout cookies, The Wall Street Journal writes.

The national nonprofit organization said it would direct its bakers to limit palm-oil use in some cookie brands, work with industry groups to switch to sustainable palm oil produced under stricter environmental guidelines, and take part in the GreenPalm program to promote sustainability.

Michigan scouts Madison Vorva and Rhiannon Tomtishen embarked five years ago on a campaign to limit palm-oil use in the iconic cookies after learning that producing the oil contributes to deforestation and destroys orangutan habitats. They rallied other scout troops and worked with international environmental groups to promote the cause online.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction, however, the steps don’t go far enough,” said Ms. Tomtishen. “It doesn’t ensure that the cookies will be completely deforestation-free and environmentally friendly.”