Jersey City Council Supports Girl Scout Troop Ban On Palm Oil

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A Jersey City Girl Scout troop is ditching the cookies and hoping to make a bigger change instead, with the City Council's backing.

Girl Scout Troop 12026 introduced a resolution that was passed on Wednesday calling for support on a boycott of the use of palm oil in girl scout cookies. The resolution also requests the Girl Scouts of America seek an alternative to palm oil in their products.

"The extraction of palm oil and its use harms the environment and our rainforests. The extraction and harvest of palm oil contributes to deforestation and harms wildlife habitats. In addition, studies link the palm oil industry to child labor and human trafficking," the resolution reads.

Several parents, residents and troop members spoke at the council meeting to urge the council to vote yes. Troop member and fifth grader Aja Chambers called in to express her passion for environmental justice and human rights and why a ban on palm oil makes a difference.

"Instead of adding to the cause of climate change and making it worse, we could be giving these kids a chance to go to school, and they could be helping the cause, they could be making it better," Chambers said.

The resolution was unanimously passed by the City Council with praise coming from council members.

"You guys are the epitome of 'think globally, act locally' and I applaud you all for stepping outside the fundraising mechanism that might not bring money to your troop but certainly brings attention to the cause — we cannot wait to see what you young ladies are going to do as local leaders moving forward," said Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey.

The full resolution can be read online.