Deforestation: 5 Actions You Can Take to Make a Difference

When we think about forests in the wizarding world, most minds jump to the Forbidden Forest. Located on the Hogwarts grounds, the mysterious forest is the home to many enchanting creatures, including centaurs, Acromantulas, unicorns, and Thestrals.

Other forests are also seen in the Fantastic Beasts films. In the newest instalment, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Newt Scamander wanders through the woods in southern China to search for Qilins.

However, unlike these magical forests, our Muggle forests are threatened by mass deforestation. These ecosystems are home to thousands of animal and plant species. Every two seconds, a forest the size of a football field is destroyed. This pollutes our air and water and ruins the habitats and homes of over 400 species of animals in forests that date back as far as 70 million years. This impacts human life as well, as deforestation is one of the leading causes of world hunger. 

So what actions can you take to help stop deforestation? Here are five tips to get you started.

1. Educate Yourself

The more we know and discover about sustainable living, the larger impact we can have on resolving issues such as deforestation. By living a greener and healthier life, we will help ourselves as well as the non-human animals who share our planet with us for generations to come.

Knowledge and word of mouth are powerful tools, so continue to educate yourself and tell your friends and family what you discover.

You could check out Global Wildlife Conservations’s list of 10 Environmental Documentaries or order yourself a copy of Ginny Weasley actress Bonnie Wright’s new book, Go Gently: Actionable Steps to Nurture Yourself and the Planet, which contains lots of information on practical tips and tricks that you can do at home to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle.

​2. Make More Meatless or Vegan Meals

The leading cause of deforestation is animal agriculture. By choosing to go meat-free or vegan or by cutting back on purchasing animal products, you’re helping to reduce the need for animal agriculture and the demand needed to raise livestock. This helps the land recover with the reintroduction of native species. It also reduces dangerously high CO2 levels and gives way for nutritious food crops to be grown for humans and non-human animals alike.

We have a whole host of vegan recipes available that are inspired by the food from within the Harry Potter books, from classic staples like Hogwarts vegan stew, to Molly Weasley’s savory pies, to Fleur Delacour-Weasley’s bouillabaisse. 

If you fancy something sweet, you could have a go at making these vegan pumpkin pasties, Harry’s first birthday cake, a version of Hagrid’s rock cakes, or even the best butterbeer you’ll find outside of The Three Broomsticks!
​

You can also preorder The Unofficial Harry Potter Vegan Cookbook to discover more about living a vegan lifestyle. It features over 75 delicious plant-based recipes inspired by the Wizarding World, created by Imana Grashuis, a celebrated Kitchen Witch, recipe developer, and photographer, and our own President and Co-founder, Tylor Starr. To get a taste of what you’ll find in the cookbook, have a look at the sneak peek on the preorder page and check out the Occamy Bubble Tea recipe Imana conjured up exclusively for The Protego Foundation! ​

3. Avoid Products That Contain Palm Oil

Did you know that palm oil, an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees, is a major player in the deforestation of some of the world’s most diverse forests? Growing and harvesting palm oil is destroying the homes of those who live there, including animals on the endangered species list such as orangutans, pygmy elephants, and Sumatran rhinos.

Make a habit of checking the packaging of your food and look for foods that use alternatives to palm oil, such as rapeseed or sunflower oil.
 
4. Reducio, Reuse, and Recycle

Zero waste living might not be for everyone, but even the smallest action or change made to your lifestyle can help make a difference.
Here are some simple actions you can take to reduce your reliance on single-use products:

• Swap paper (plates, cups, napkins) and plastic (bottles, straws, bags, cutlery) products for reusable ones and take these with you whenever you go shopping, grab take out, or order your morning coffee.
• When you go food shopping, choose fruits and vegetables that aren’t wrapped in plastic packaging.
• Make eco-swaps around the house, such as choosing reusable wraps rather than plastic cling film and investing in reusable products such as cotton or bamboo-based napkins and paper towels.
• When you get takeout, kindly request “no utensils or condiments,” because who really uses those teeny tiny packets of soy sauce or mustard? Many restaurants are happy to oblige!
• Recycle whatever you can. Don’t forget to check the label to make sure it can be recycled and be sure to thoroughly wash out anything that previously contained food or drink.

 
5. Buy Second Hand Whenever Possible

The Weasleys were on to something with their hand-me-down books, robes, and brooms! 

A great way to reduce your carbon footprint and your reliance on natural resources (they’re not limitless!) is by buying second hand.
You can purchase books, clothing, or furniture from thrift stores or through online marketplaces. Like the Weasleys, you can pass down any clothes you’ve grown out of to younger siblings or relatives and do clothing swaps with your friends for pieces that you no longer want or need.
​
If you do choose to buy something new, be sure to do some research into who you are buying from, checking that they use sustainably-sourced materials and provide an ethical working environment for their employees.

​Let us know what steps you’ll be taking to reduce your carbon footprint and live a more sustainable lifestyle! Tag us on our socials to share how you’re making a difference against deforestation and in creating a greener, happier planet for humans and non-humans alike.​

​Written by Grace Hurley

---

Accio More Articles: