I couldn’t sleep the night before I had spent tossing and
the night before I had spent tossing and
the night before I had spent tossing and turning panic attack after panic attack
turning panic attack after panic attack
turning panic attack after panic attack as impending doom crept upon me and now
as impending doom crept upon me and now
as impending doom crept upon me and now I sat staring at two judges who were
I sat staring at two judges who were
I sat staring at two judges who were looking at me judging me and as I sat
looking at me judging me and as I sat
looking at me judging me and as I sat there i listened to the voice of someone
there i listened to the voice of someone
there i listened to the voice of someone I considered a brother someone who had
I considered a brother someone who had
I considered a brother someone who had taken a piece of me someone who had
taken a piece of me someone who had
taken a piece of me someone who had killed a part of me and someone who was
killed a part of me and someone who was
killed a part of me and someone who was robbing me of my dignity again calling
robbing me of my dignity again calling
robbing me of my dignity again calling me a liar in that moment I felt like it
me a liar in that moment I felt like it
me a liar in that moment I felt like it was the worst day of my life now the
was the worst day of my life now the
was the worst day of my life now the more I talk about my story the more I
more I talk about my story the more I
more I talk about my story the more I realized that I’m not alone and that all
realized that I’m not alone and that all
realized that I’m not alone and that all of us at one point in our lives will
of us at one point in our lives will
of us at one point in our lives will deal with some sort of trauma be it loss
deal with some sort of trauma be it loss
deal with some sort of trauma be it loss depression addiction the World Health
depression addiction the World Health
depression addiction the World Health Organization estimates that one in three
Organization estimates that one in three
Organization estimates that one in three women worldwide will experience sexual
women worldwide will experience sexual
women worldwide will experience sexual assault or physical violence in her
assault or physical violence in her
assault or physical violence in her lifetime 300 million of us every year
lifetime 300 million of us every year
lifetime 300 million of us every year are suffering from depression and
are suffering from depression and
are suffering from depression and 800,000 of us will commit suicide this
800,000 of us will commit suicide this
800,000 of us will commit suicide this year we’re in a lot of pain but why now
year we’re in a lot of pain but why now
year we’re in a lot of pain but why now for me it took me a long time to realize
for me it took me a long time to realize
for me it took me a long time to realize that I could not hide from my pain that
that I could not hide from my pain that
that I could not hide from my pain that I couldn’t suppress it any longer and it
I couldn’t suppress it any longer and it
I couldn’t suppress it any longer and it took years of frustration and anger and
took years of frustration and anger and
took years of frustration and anger and therapy and healing to finally get to
therapy and healing to finally get to
therapy and healing to finally get to this point where I could even seek
this point where I could even seek
this point where I could even seek justice in a courtroom and yes it felt
justice in a courtroom and yes it felt
justice in a courtroom and yes it felt like the worst day of my life as old
like the worst day of my life as old
like the worst day of my life as old memories washed over me wounds were
memories washed over me wounds were
memories washed over me wounds were reopened but my only saving grace was
reopened but my only saving grace was
reopened but my only saving grace was that the next day I would be travelling
that the next day I would be travelling
that the next day I would be travelling to Sumatra so as someone who loves
to Sumatra so as someone who loves
to Sumatra so as someone who loves biodiversity wildlife and jungles going
biodiversity wildlife and jungles going
biodiversity wildlife and jungles going to Sumatra was a dream of mine
to Sumatra was a dream of mine
to Sumatra was a dream of mine I had always dreamt of working with
I had always dreamt of working with
I had always dreamt of working with orangutans here I was documenting an
orangutans here I was documenting an
orangutans here I was documenting an organization that worked in conservation
organization that worked in conservation
organization that worked in conservation Sumatra is one of 13,000 islands in the
Sumatra is one of 13,000 islands in the
Sumatra is one of 13,000 islands in the world’s largest archipelago making up
world’s largest archipelago making up
world’s largest archipelago making up the country of Indonesia it’s also one
the country of Indonesia it’s also one
the country of Indonesia it’s also one of the world’s most important
of the world’s most important
of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots it’s the only
biodiversity hotspots it’s the only
biodiversity hotspots it’s the only place in the world
place in the world
place in the world we’re the Sumatran orangutan elephant
we’re the Sumatran orangutan elephant
we’re the Sumatran orangutan elephant tiger and Rhino all live together in the
tiger and Rhino all live together in the
tiger and Rhino all live together in the same place but all four of these
same place but all four of these
same place but all four of these creatures are critically endangered due
creatures are critically endangered due
creatures are critically endangered due to deforestation palm oil plantations
to deforestation palm oil plantations
to deforestation palm oil plantations have penetrated deep into the Sumatran
have penetrated deep into the Sumatran
have penetrated deep into the Sumatran landscape often overtaking old-growth
landscape often overtaking old-growth
landscape often overtaking old-growth forests illegally and without consent
forests illegally and without consent
forests illegally and without consent from the local villagers palm oil has
from the local villagers palm oil has
from the local villagers palm oil has destroyed more than half of Sumatra’s
destroyed more than half of Sumatra’s
destroyed more than half of Sumatra’s rainforest in just the last 30 years
rainforest in just the last 30 years
rainforest in just the last 30 years that’s my lifetime and if you can
that’s my lifetime and if you can
that’s my lifetime and if you can imagine one football field is the size
imagine one football field is the size
imagine one football field is the size of a hectare and there are over 6
of a hectare and there are over 6
of a hectare and there are over 6 million hectares of these trees all over
million hectares of these trees all over
million hectares of these trees all over Sumatra but the world’s forests are
Sumatra but the world’s forests are
Sumatra but the world’s forests are responsible for taking in at least a
responsible for taking in at least a
responsible for taking in at least a third of our carbon emissions every year
third of our carbon emissions every year
third of our carbon emissions every year that’s 2.4 billion tons of carbon and
that’s 2.4 billion tons of carbon and
that’s 2.4 billion tons of carbon and they act as carbon sinks so when we cut
they act as carbon sinks so when we cut
they act as carbon sinks so when we cut them down we’re also releasing tons of
them down we’re also releasing tons of
them down we’re also releasing tons of carbon into the atmosphere it’s a big
carbon into the atmosphere it’s a big
carbon into the atmosphere it’s a big problem and thanks to an overarching
problem and thanks to an overarching
problem and thanks to an overarching narrative of consumerism forests aren’t
narrative of consumerism forests aren’t
narrative of consumerism forests aren’t the only things vanishing wildlife are
the only things vanishing wildlife are
the only things vanishing wildlife are being poached for their tusks and fur
being poached for their tusks and fur
being poached for their tusks and fur and teeth toxins are leeching into our
and teeth toxins are leeching into our
and teeth toxins are leeching into our groundwater lakes and streams global
groundwater lakes and streams global
groundwater lakes and streams global climate is changing and we have climate
climate is changing and we have climate
climate is changing and we have climate refugees to deal with developing
refugees to deal with developing
refugees to deal with developing countries bear the brunt of our
countries bear the brunt of our
countries bear the brunt of our manufacturing so that we don’t have to
manufacturing so that we don’t have to
manufacturing so that we don’t have to see smog but they can’t see the Sun and
see smog but they can’t see the Sun and
see smog but they can’t see the Sun and they walk around with hospital masks in
they walk around with hospital masks in
they walk around with hospital masks in different colors and designs just to
different colors and designs just to
different colors and designs just to ease the pain of breathing in British
ease the pain of breathing in British
ease the pain of breathing in British Columbia there’s even a company that’s
Columbia there’s even a company that’s
Columbia there’s even a company that’s now bottling fresh air I think it’s safe
now bottling fresh air I think it’s safe
now bottling fresh air I think it’s safe to say that at any point now we should
to say that at any point now we should
to say that at any point now we should expect the Lorax to be paying us a visit
expect the Lorax to be paying us a visit
expect the Lorax to be paying us a visit but despite the disaster that palm oil
but despite the disaster that palm oil
but despite the disaster that palm oil is creating it’s also created many jobs
is creating it’s also created many jobs
is creating it’s also created many jobs for local people and it’s stabilized the
for local people and it’s stabilized the
for local people and it’s stabilized the Indonesian economy that’s come out of
Indonesian economy that’s come out of
Indonesian economy that’s come out of very rough times and the world’s thirst
very rough times and the world’s thirst
very rough times and the world’s thirst for palm oil is so great that Palma can
for palm oil is so great that Palma can
for palm oil is so great that Palma can be found in almost every packaged
be found in almost every packaged
be found in almost every packaged product available that’s a big issue but
product available that’s a big issue but
product available that’s a big issue but the first person I met in Sumatra his
the first person I met in Sumatra his
the first person I met in Sumatra his name is penny headed his way oh and if
name is penny headed his way oh and if
name is penny headed his way oh and if you google his name you’ll find that
you google his name you’ll find that
you google his name you’ll find that he’s a National Geographic Explorer
he’s a National Geographic Explorer
he’s a National Geographic Explorer he’s also featured on the BBC and he
he’s also featured on the BBC and he
he’s also featured on the BBC and he runs an organization called the
runs an organization called the
runs an organization called the orangutan information center or oh I see
orangutan information center or oh I see
orangutan information center or oh I see for short pannu comes from very humble
for short pannu comes from very humble
for short pannu comes from very humble beginnings growing up in a very small
beginnings growing up in a very small
beginnings growing up in a very small village and when he came face to an
village and when he came face to an
village and when he came face to an orangutan with the for the first time it
orangutan with the for the first time it
orangutan with the for the first time it was then that he realized what his true
was then that he realized what his true
was then that he realized what his true calling was and he wanted to help their
calling was and he wanted to help their
calling was and he wanted to help their cause so he worked hard going from his
cause so he worked hard going from his
cause so he worked hard going from his tiny village to earning a place a
tiny village to earning a place a
tiny village to earning a place a scholarship at Oxford University and
scholarship at Oxford University and
scholarship at Oxford University and while he was at Oxford while his friends
while he was at Oxford while his friends
while he was at Oxford while his friends were out at the pub or having fun penny
were out at the pub or having fun penny
were out at the pub or having fun penny could be found cleaning toilets and
could be found cleaning toilets and
could be found cleaning toilets and bathrooms as a cleaner just so he could
bathrooms as a cleaner just so he could
bathrooms as a cleaner just so he could earn enough money to start his
earn enough money to start his
earn enough money to start his organisation when he got back to Sumatra
organisation when he got back to Sumatra
organisation when he got back to Sumatra and so since then pan newts organisation
and so since then pan newts organisation
and so since then pan newts organisation has grown to include over 65 staff and
has grown to include over 65 staff and
has grown to include over 65 staff and their mission is to ensure the survival
their mission is to ensure the survival
their mission is to ensure the survival of the critically endangered Sumatran
of the critically endangered Sumatran
of the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan orangutan means person of the
orangutan orangutan means person of the
orangutan orangutan means person of the forest these amazing creatures they
forest these amazing creatures they
forest these amazing creatures they share 97% of our DNA they’re some of the
share 97% of our DNA they’re some of the
share 97% of our DNA they’re some of the most incredible incredibly intelligent
most incredible incredibly intelligent
most incredible incredibly intelligent creatures on this planet these animals
creatures on this planet these animals
creatures on this planet these animals can use tools in their day-to-day and
can use tools in their day-to-day and
can use tools in their day-to-day and they also can understand sign language
they also can understand sign language
they also can understand sign language they’re also the only tree dwelling or
they’re also the only tree dwelling or
they’re also the only tree dwelling or arboreal of the great apes which means
arboreal of the great apes which means
arboreal of the great apes which means that they need trees to survive and so
that they need trees to survive and so
that they need trees to survive and so it’s no surprise that the decline in the
it’s no surprise that the decline in the
it’s no surprise that the decline in the orangutan population matches that of the
orangutan population matches that of the
orangutan population matches that of the deforestation rate in Sumatra so over
deforestation rate in Sumatra so over
deforestation rate in Sumatra so over 50% of these creatures have declined in
50% of these creatures have declined in
50% of these creatures have declined in just the past 30 years so in the process
just the past 30 years so in the process
just the past 30 years so in the process oh oh I see has had to task itself with
oh oh I see has had to task itself with
oh oh I see has had to task itself with rescuing more than a hundred and twenty
rescuing more than a hundred and twenty
rescuing more than a hundred and twenty orangutans in just five years
orangutans in just five years
orangutans in just five years some orangutans like Makar here become
some orangutans like Makar here become
some orangutans like Makar here become trapped in palm oil plantations when
trapped in palm oil plantations when
trapped in palm oil plantations when they reach the forest edge palm well
they reach the forest edge palm well
they reach the forest edge palm well workers are often encouraged to shoot
workers are often encouraged to shoot
workers are often encouraged to shoot and kill these pests for reward and so
and kill these pests for reward and so
and kill these pests for reward and so when we got the call about Makar we
when we got the call about Makar we
when we got the call about Makar we rushed to her aid so that we could have
rushed to her aid so that we could have
rushed to her aid so that we could have the chance of saving her and when we got
the chance of saving her and when we got
the chance of saving her and when we got there the vet prepared tranquilizer and
there the vet prepared tranquilizer and
there the vet prepared tranquilizer and prepared to shoot her from the ground
prepared to shoot her from the ground
prepared to shoot her from the ground about 15 metres from the tree
about 15 metres from the tree
about 15 metres from the tree and then when she was tranked finally we
and then when she was tranked finally we
and then when she was tranked finally we waited for the drug to take effect and
waited for the drug to take effect and
waited for the drug to take effect and waited on the ground when the drug took
waited on the ground when the drug took
waited on the ground when the drug took hold
hold
hold we waited with a net stretched between
we waited with a net stretched between
we waited with a net stretched between the hands of the villagers and the OIC
the hands of the villagers and the OIC
the hands of the villagers and the OIC team and when she finally got to the
team and when she finally got to the
team and when she finally got to the ground the vet took a good look at her
ground the vet took a good look at her
ground the vet took a good look at her body and found that she was riddled with
body and found that she was riddled with
body and found that she was riddled with bullets all over her body in her face
bullets all over her body in her face
bullets all over her body in her face thankfully they were healed over and she
thankfully they were healed over and she
thankfully they were healed over and she was healthy enough to be translocated
was healthy enough to be translocated
was healthy enough to be translocated back to the national park that day but
back to the national park that day but
back to the national park that day but her life was only spared because she got
her life was only spared because she got
her life was only spared because she got we got that call and that OAC had those
we got that call and that OAC had those
we got that call and that OAC had those connections in that village little baby
connections in that village little baby
connections in that village little baby JJ here and other orangutans like her
JJ here and other orangutans like her
JJ here and other orangutans like her are so cute that people just want to
are so cute that people just want to
are so cute that people just want to have them as pets or status symbols and
have them as pets or status symbols and
have them as pets or status symbols and so we found CheY CheY in an amusement
so we found CheY CheY in an amusement
so we found CheY CheY in an amusement park where she was being kept illegally
park where she was being kept illegally
park where she was being kept illegally in a tiny dirty cage we rescued her and
in a tiny dirty cage we rescued her and
in a tiny dirty cage we rescued her and on the way to quarantine she was so well
on the way to quarantine she was so well
on the way to quarantine she was so well behaved that penny held her in his lap
behaved that penny held her in his lap
behaved that penny held her in his lap instead of tranquilizing her but these
instead of tranquilizing her but these
instead of tranquilizing her but these sweet orangutans baby smiles they have
sweet orangutans baby smiles they have
sweet orangutans baby smiles they have some dark realities behind them you see
some dark realities behind them you see
some dark realities behind them you see mother
mother
mother Arango tends and their babies have a
Arango tends and their babies have a
Arango tends and their babies have a strong strong relationship mama but mama
strong strong relationship mama but mama
strong strong relationship mama but mama orangutan holds baby in her stomach for
orangutan holds baby in her stomach for
orangutan holds baby in her stomach for nine months just like a human baby and
nine months just like a human baby and
nine months just like a human baby and when she’s born baby spends the first
when she’s born baby spends the first
when she’s born baby spends the first few years of her life with mom often
few years of her life with mom often
few years of her life with mom often sticking around until she’s 7 or 11
sticking around until she’s 7 or 11
sticking around until she’s 7 or 11 years old and so to get a baby orangutan
years old and so to get a baby orangutan
years old and so to get a baby orangutan you first have to kill its mother pannu
you first have to kill its mother pannu
you first have to kill its mother pannu twins told me a story about a poacher
twins told me a story about a poacher
twins told me a story about a poacher who had been out trying to find babies
who had been out trying to find babies
who had been out trying to find babies to sell and so when he came across a
to sell and so when he came across a
to sell and so when he came across a mother who had a baby clutched to her
mother who had a baby clutched to her
mother who had a baby clutched to her chest he shot it and it fell to the
chest he shot it and it fell to the
chest he shot it and it fell to the ground but when it fell and he neared
ground but when it fell and he neared
ground but when it fell and he neared closer he realized that the mother
closer he realized that the mother
closer he realized that the mother wasn’t exactly dead she was holding her
wasn’t exactly dead she was holding her
wasn’t exactly dead she was holding her baby close to her chest and kissing it
baby close to her chest and kissing it
baby close to her chest and kissing it over and over again on its forehead and
over and over again on its forehead and
over and over again on its forehead and in that moment he was struck with the
in that moment he was struck with the
in that moment he was struck with the knowledge that what he’d done all these
knowledge that what he’d done all these
knowledge that what he’d done all these years and he turned and left leaving the
years and he turned and left leaving the
years and he turned and left leaving the baby with her dead mother he never shot
baby with her dead mother he never shot
baby with her dead mother he never shot another orangutan again and on the heels
another orangutan again and on the heels
another orangutan again and on the heels of that story I’d like to introduce you
of that story I’d like to introduce you
of that story I’d like to introduce you to someone named Nina
to someone named Nina
to someone named Nina now Meena is someone if you ever go to
now Meena is someone if you ever go to
now Meena is someone if you ever go to Sumatra that is known for being
Sumatra that is known for being
Sumatra that is known for being terrifying and aggressive
terrifying and aggressive
terrifying and aggressive before I’d met her I had heard every
before I’d met her I had heard every
before I’d met her I had heard every story in the book she’d bitten more than
story in the book she’d bitten more than
story in the book she’d bitten more than a hundred people and was in the Guinness
a hundred people and was in the Guinness
a hundred people and was in the Guinness World Book of Records nobody dared
World Book of Records nobody dared
World Book of Records nobody dared venture into what had become known as
venture into what had become known as
venture into what had become known as Nina’s place so when I met Mina I was
Nina’s place so when I met Mina I was
Nina’s place so when I met Mina I was pretty much expecting a monster but when
pretty much expecting a monster but when
pretty much expecting a monster but when I met Mina I met someone who was utterly
I met Mina I met someone who was utterly
I met Mina I met someone who was utterly different than what I expected
different than what I expected
different than what I expected Mina is a loving mother to her baby
Mina is a loving mother to her baby
Mina is a loving mother to her baby Mansoor she’s also the mother of an
Mansoor she’s also the mother of an
Mansoor she’s also the mother of an older orangutan named Catrin who still
older orangutan named Catrin who still
older orangutan named Catrin who still hangs around being eight or nine years
hangs around being eight or nine years
hangs around being eight or nine years old and plays big sister to her little
old and plays big sister to her little
old and plays big sister to her little brother the more I found out about Mina
brother the more I found out about Mina
brother the more I found out about Mina the more I realized that she was not
the more I realized that she was not
the more I realized that she was not what I had been told she was and in fact
what I had been told she was and in fact
what I had been told she was and in fact the more I grew to know about her the
the more I grew to know about her the
the more I grew to know about her the more I realized we had a lot in common
more I realized we had a lot in common
more I realized we had a lot in common it turns out that she had actually also
it turns out that she had actually also
it turns out that she had actually also been rescued as a baby once upon a time
been rescued as a baby once upon a time
been rescued as a baby once upon a time and that she had been found in a house
and that she had been found in a house
and that she had been found in a house being kept as a pet so that means that
being kept as a pet so that means that
being kept as a pet so that means that she had been ripped away from the arms
she had been ripped away from the arms
she had been ripped away from the arms of her dead mother and placed in a cage
of her dead mother and placed in a cage
of her dead mother and placed in a cage for the enjoyment of others so when she
for the enjoyment of others so when she
for the enjoyment of others so when she was finally rescued rehabilitated and
was finally rescued rehabilitated and
was finally rescued rehabilitated and released years later they released her
released years later they released her
released years later they released her in a place called bukit lawang now bukit
in a place called bukit lawang now bukit
in a place called bukit lawang now bukit lawang is a place where tourists often
lawang is a place where tourists often
lawang is a place where tourists often go in order to see orangutans in the
go in order to see orangutans in the
go in order to see orangutans in the wild and so to guarantee sightings for
wild and so to guarantee sightings for
wild and so to guarantee sightings for tourists they used to have a feeding
tourists they used to have a feeding
tourists they used to have a feeding station where they would feed orangutans
station where they would feed orangutans
station where they would feed orangutans as a couple times a day and it was this
as a couple times a day and it was this
as a couple times a day and it was this feeding station that caused Mina to be
feeding station that caused Mina to be
feeding station that caused Mina to be conditioned to beg for food from
conditioned to beg for food from
conditioned to beg for food from tourists and local guides tragedy struck
tourists and local guides tragedy struck
tourists and local guides tragedy struck in 1996 when she asked a tourist for
in 1996 when she asked a tourist for
in 1996 when she asked a tourist for food and when he didn’t have any she
food and when he didn’t have any she
food and when he didn’t have any she approached him aggressively and so a
approached him aggressively and so a
approached him aggressively and so a guide slashed her in the face with a
guide slashed her in the face with a
guide slashed her in the face with a machete leaving this scar as a reminder
machete leaving this scar as a reminder
machete leaving this scar as a reminder since then she’s been hit with machetes
since then she’s been hit with machetes
since then she’s been hit with machetes over ten times she’s in a lot of pain
over ten times she’s in a lot of pain
over ten times she’s in a lot of pain and when I see Mina I see beyond that
and when I see Mina I see beyond that
and when I see Mina I see beyond that fearless exterior to that traumatized
fearless exterior to that traumatized
fearless exterior to that traumatized baby girl having your body invaded
baby girl having your body invaded
baby girl having your body invaded feeling fearful and traumatised and
feeling fearful and traumatised and
feeling fearful and traumatised and frustrated and angry or how things that
frustrated and angry or how things that
frustrated and angry or how things that I could understand so and that was in
I could understand so and that was in
I could understand so and that was in those moments I felt a sisterhood with
those moments I felt a sisterhood with
those moments I felt a sisterhood with Mina I felt a connection that grew
Mina I felt a connection that grew
Mina I felt a connection that grew deeper and deeper as my journey went on
deeper and deeper as my journey went on
deeper and deeper as my journey went on and most of all I saw a mother not a
and most of all I saw a mother not a
and most of all I saw a mother not a monster Arang attends need the forest to
monster Arang attends need the forest to
monster Arang attends need the forest to survive but so do we humans conservation
survive but so do we humans conservation
survive but so do we humans conservation is crucial and one of the things penny
is crucial and one of the things penny
is crucial and one of the things penny once told me is that people are part of
once told me is that people are part of
once told me is that people are part of the problem but we’re also part of the
the problem but we’re also part of the
the problem but we’re also part of the solution and that’s one of the things I
solution and that’s one of the things I
solution and that’s one of the things I absolutely admire about oh I see because
absolutely admire about oh I see because
absolutely admire about oh I see because they understand that local people when
they understand that local people when
they understand that local people when you connect with local people you can
you connect with local people you can
you connect with local people you can get a lot done oh I see is not only run
get a lot done oh I see is not only run
get a lot done oh I see is not only run by local people but they also include
by local people but they also include
by local people but they also include local people in every stage of their
local people in every stage of their
local people in every stage of their decision-making an implementation of
decision-making an implementation of
decision-making an implementation of their projects and where other
their projects and where other
their projects and where other conservation efforts have failed due to
conservation efforts have failed due to
conservation efforts have failed due to paternalistic top-down efforts they have
paternalistic top-down efforts they have
paternalistic top-down efforts they have succeeded I’d like you to meet a man
succeeded I’d like you to meet a man
succeeded I’d like you to meet a man named bet on bet on works used to work
named bet on bet on works used to work
named bet on bet on works used to work as a logger in a village called holoband
as a logger in a village called holoband
as a logger in a village called holoband but years ago a palm oil company
but years ago a palm oil company
but years ago a palm oil company illegally took over part of the national
illegally took over part of the national
illegally took over part of the national forest that was part of their village
forest that was part of their village
forest that was part of their village and it was noticeable that the water
and it was noticeable that the water
and it was noticeable that the water shortages were beginning to affect their
shortages were beginning to affect their
shortages were beginning to affect their local people because these people rely
local people because these people rely
local people because these people rely on water for everything for drinking
on water for everything for drinking
on water for everything for drinking cooking cleaning and palm oil plants
cooking cleaning and palm oil plants
cooking cleaning and palm oil plants they suck up tens of gallons of water
they suck up tens of gallons of water
they suck up tens of gallons of water every day and so when they notice this
every day and so when they notice this
every day and so when they notice this was happening and had to start buying
was happening and had to start buying
was happening and had to start buying bottled water oh I see got involved and
bottled water oh I see got involved and
bottled water oh I see got involved and together the villagers and OIC fought
together the villagers and OIC fought
together the villagers and OIC fought back against these plantation and they
back against these plantation and they
back against these plantation and they ended up reclaiming the land legally so
ended up reclaiming the land legally so
ended up reclaiming the land legally so but on is no longer a logger he is now
but on is no longer a logger he is now
but on is no longer a logger he is now working as a person who’s restoring the
working as a person who’s restoring the
working as a person who’s restoring the palm oil plantation back to a forest to
palm oil plantation back to a forest to
palm oil plantation back to a forest to date oh I see has reclaimed more than a
date oh I see has reclaimed more than a
date oh I see has reclaimed more than a thousand hectares of illegal palm oil
thousand hectares of illegal palm oil
thousand hectares of illegal palm oil plantation
plantation
plantation I was lucky a few months ago to actually
I was lucky a few months ago to actually
I was lucky a few months ago to actually witness the reclamation of 75 hectares
witness the reclamation of 75 hectares
witness the reclamation of 75 hectares of land it was phenomenal and I have
of land it was phenomenal and I have
of land it was phenomenal and I have never been so happy to see so many palm
never been so happy to see so many palm
never been so happy to see so many palm oil trees cut down now that’s not all
oil trees cut down now that’s not all
oil trees cut down now that’s not all because pen because oh I see now has to
because pen because oh I see now has to
because pen because oh I see now has to get to work with restoring all a
get to work with restoring all a
get to work with restoring all a thousand hectares that they’ve reclaimed
thousand hectares that they’ve reclaimed
thousand hectares that they’ve reclaimed and they’re almost halfway done this was
and they’re almost halfway done this was
and they’re almost halfway done this was something that was once thought to be
something that was once thought to be
something that was once thought to be impossible but oh I see is proving
impossible but oh I see is proving
impossible but oh I see is proving everyone wrong as they
everyone wrong as they
everyone wrong as they vert palm oil plantations back into
vert palm oil plantations back into
vert palm oil plantations back into forests so this is how it might look
forests so this is how it might look
forests so this is how it might look after a palm oil plantation has been cut
after a palm oil plantation has been cut
after a palm oil plantation has been cut down and the grass has taken over and
down and the grass has taken over and
down and the grass has taken over and these grasses are very difficult to
these grasses are very difficult to
these grasses are very difficult to manage but somehow oh I see manages and
manage but somehow oh I see manages and
manage but somehow oh I see manages and the next step we’ll make some planting
the next step we’ll make some planting
the next step we’ll make some planting lines and then plant a mixture of fast
lines and then plant a mixture of fast
lines and then plant a mixture of fast and slow growing species that are
and slow growing species that are
and slow growing species that are endemic to Indonesia soon before you
endemic to Indonesia soon before you
endemic to Indonesia soon before you know it the pollinators the birds the
know it the pollinators the birds the
know it the pollinators the birds the bees and the butterflies are getting
bees and the butterflies are getting
bees and the butterflies are getting together and helping with the process of
together and helping with the process of
together and helping with the process of pollination and growing the forest this
pollination and growing the forest this
pollination and growing the forest this is the new forest next to what it used
is the new forest next to what it used
is the new forest next to what it used to be a palm oil plantation and this is
to be a palm oil plantation and this is
to be a palm oil plantation and this is only after three to five years of
only after three to five years of
only after three to five years of growing and this is the new forest next
growing and this is the new forest next
growing and this is the new forest next to the old-growth forest this is the
to the old-growth forest this is the
to the old-growth forest this is the same restoration site photograph from
same restoration site photograph from
same restoration site photograph from two different angles it’s phenomenal and
two different angles it’s phenomenal and
two different angles it’s phenomenal and wouldn’t you know it that before long
wouldn’t you know it that before long
wouldn’t you know it that before long there were animals coming back we have
there were animals coming back we have
there were animals coming back we have birds monkeys elephants and of course
orangutans so all of this magic and
orangutans so all of this magic and Wonder reminded me of the movie Fern
Wonder reminded me of the movie Fern
Wonder reminded me of the movie Fern Gully and this quote but for just as
Gully and this quote but for just as
Gully and this quote but for just as every seed holds the magic and power of
every seed holds the magic and power of
every seed holds the magic and power of creation so too do you and every other
creation so too do you and every other
creation so too do you and every other creature in this world and while that
creature in this world and while that
creature in this world and while that sound might sound mystical and
sound might sound mystical and
sound might sound mystical and unscientific many studies are showing
unscientific many studies are showing
unscientific many studies are showing that we are closer to nature and each
that we are closer to nature and each
that we are closer to nature and each other than we once thought a study by
other than we once thought a study by
other than we once thought a study by the University of Illinois found that
the University of Illinois found that
the University of Illinois found that when comparing public housing units that
when comparing public housing units that
when comparing public housing units that had trees and those that didn’t they
had trees and those that didn’t they
had trees and those that didn’t they found that the ones that had trees
found that the ones that had trees
found that the ones that had trees people were more likely to feel a sense
people were more likely to feel a sense
people were more likely to feel a sense of connection a sense of unity and
of connection a sense of unity and
of connection a sense of unity and belonging they felt like there was less
belonging they felt like there was less
belonging they felt like there was less crime in their neighborhoods and they
crime in their neighborhoods and they
crime in their neighborhoods and they also felt like they were able to
also felt like they were able to
also felt like they were able to overcome life’s challenges pretty
overcome life’s challenges pretty
overcome life’s challenges pretty phenomenal things and other studies
phenomenal things and other studies
phenomenal things and other studies numerous studies show that just being in
numerous studies show that just being in
numerous studies show that just being in nature or viewing scenes of nature can
nature or viewing scenes of nature can
nature or viewing scenes of nature can cause us to reduce our anxiety our fear
cause us to reduce our anxiety our fear
cause us to reduce our anxiety our fear aggression blood pressure muscle tension
aggression blood pressure muscle tension
aggression blood pressure muscle tension all kinds of things and so it’s pretty
all kinds of things and so it’s pretty
all kinds of things and so it’s pretty amazing how connected we are
and in Indonesia it’s customary to touch
and in Indonesia it’s customary to touch your heart after you have shaking
your heart after you have shaking
your heart after you have shaking someone’s hand and met them so I’ve been
someone’s hand and met them so I’ve been
someone’s hand and met them so I’ve been touched by everyone I’ve met in
touched by everyone I’ve met in
touched by everyone I’ve met in Indonesia and beyond words beyond what I
Indonesia and beyond words beyond what I
Indonesia and beyond words beyond what I can explain and so it’s this sense of
can explain and so it’s this sense of
can explain and so it’s this sense of connection the sense of restoration that
connection the sense of restoration that
connection the sense of restoration that has caused me to feel more determined
has caused me to feel more determined
has caused me to feel more determined than ever to act they’ve not only
than ever to act they’ve not only
than ever to act they’ve not only rescued of Ranga tans reclaimed forest
rescued of Ranga tans reclaimed forest
rescued of Ranga tans reclaimed forest and restored them but they’ve also
and restored them but they’ve also
and restored them but they’ve also rescued me they’ve helped me reclaim my
rescued me they’ve helped me reclaim my
rescued me they’ve helped me reclaim my sense of humanity and also restored a
sense of humanity and also restored a
sense of humanity and also restored a sense of connection I had in the world
sense of connection I had in the world
sense of connection I had in the world that I didn’t even know I had lost now I
that I didn’t even know I had lost now I
that I didn’t even know I had lost now I have become so involved and so enamoured
have become so involved and so enamoured
have become so involved and so enamoured by this project that I’ve partnered with
by this project that I’ve partnered with
by this project that I’ve partnered with oh I see to create something called the
oh I see to create something called the
oh I see to create something called the Sumatran Wildlife Sanctuary this is a
Sumatran Wildlife Sanctuary this is a
Sumatran Wildlife Sanctuary this is a place that’s going to be a conservation
place that’s going to be a conservation
place that’s going to be a conservation area spanning 50 hectares and it’ll also
area spanning 50 hectares and it’ll also
area spanning 50 hectares and it’ll also include a primate Rescue Center now when
include a primate Rescue Center now when
include a primate Rescue Center now when I first heard this concept from pannu
I first heard this concept from pannu
I first heard this concept from pannu the fears and the doubts were going
the fears and the doubts were going
the fears and the doubts were going around in my mind and I thought oh my
around in my mind and I thought oh my
around in my mind and I thought oh my goodness can I really do this but the
goodness can I really do this but the
goodness can I really do this but the new me the new restored me was saying
new me the new restored me was saying
new me the new restored me was saying why not why not try and you know what
why not why not try and you know what
why not why not try and you know what since then and that’s only about a
since then and that’s only about a
since then and that’s only about a couple years ago we’ve already bought
couple years ago we’ve already bought
couple years ago we’ve already bought five hectares and we’re well on our way
five hectares and we’re well on our way
five hectares and we’re well on our way to buying the rest but are these small
to buying the rest but are these small
to buying the rest but are these small efforts enough have we gone too far in
efforts enough have we gone too far in
efforts enough have we gone too far in destroying the planet and ourselves is
destroying the planet and ourselves is
destroying the planet and ourselves is it even worth trying well when I look
it even worth trying well when I look
it even worth trying well when I look back on the day of that hearing it felt
back on the day of that hearing it felt
back on the day of that hearing it felt like the worst day of my life
like the worst day of my life
like the worst day of my life but in retrospect it was actually one of
but in retrospect it was actually one of
but in retrospect it was actually one of the best where the pain had left a deep
the best where the pain had left a deep
the best where the pain had left a deep crevice empathy had a deeper reservoir
crevice empathy had a deeper reservoir
crevice empathy had a deeper reservoir to take over so I could care more about
to take over so I could care more about
to take over so I could care more about the people on the planet and in case
the people on the planet and in case
the people on the planet and in case you’re wondering I ended up winning my
you’re wondering I ended up winning my
you’re wondering I ended up winning my case and it was the best day of my life
case and it was the best day of my life
case and it was the best day of my life I had never felt more joyful more alive
I had never felt more joyful more alive
I had never felt more joyful more alive more connected but at the end of the day
more connected but at the end of the day
more connected but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter if we win or lose it
it doesn’t matter if we win or lose it
it doesn’t matter if we win or lose it just matters that we try
just matters that we try
just matters that we try and so together let’s plant some seeds
and so together let’s plant some seeds
and so together let’s plant some seeds and make them grow thank you
and make them grow thank you
and make them grow thank you [Applause]
”
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