Protecting the orangutans and their natural habitat has now become critical. The orangutan population is on the brink of extinction with only around 14,600 remaining in the wild in Sumatra. The crisis has featured in several recent TV programmes. One of most popular shows was the second episode of the BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet which first aired on 03.11.19.
St Albans local business, Tommy and Lottie have joined a campaign to protect the orangutans. They produces unisex, ethical, sustainable baby, children and adult clothing range as well as wall prints.
The founder Katie Carr hand draws the designs which are inspired by nature and nostalgia. Print processes such as screen printing or embroidery are used as these are better for the planet and produce a better quality finish and will last longer. They are also plastic free as well as the packaging. The clothing designs and cut are unisex and non-seasonal making it easier to hand down, as reuse, recycle is the brands ethos. Helping towards reducing the impact fast fashion has had on the global textile waste problem.
Tommy and Lottie’s devotion to wildlife and to the environment has led to their partnering with the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS). They will donate a percentage of every orangutan sweat shirt or orangutan wall print they sell.
The Sumatran Orangutan Society are an amazing charity who work to protect orangutans and the rainforests of Northern Sumatra. Due to the relentless destruction of rainforests, this precious ape is extremely vulnerable to becoming extinct. Once widespread throughout the forests of Asia, orangutans are now only found on two islands, Sumatra and Borneo.
Helen Buckland, Director of SOS says “We love Tommy and Lottie’s designs, and we love their values – so naturally we’re delighted to launch this partnership. Their gorgeous orangutan sweatshirts will help us protect these amazing animals and their rainforest home.”
Why is it important to protect the Orangutans and their forests?
The orangutan is one of our closet relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing 96.4% of our DNA. Indigenous people of Indonesia and Malaysia call this ape ‘Orang Hutan’ which literally translates as ‘person of the forest’. They are highly intelligent and gentle animals. They use tools and have a fantastic memory, making mental maps of their forest home in order to find fruiting trees throughout the seasons.
As well as thousands of species of animals and plants, more than four million people in Sumatra rely on the existence and preservation of the forests. Without the forest, temperatures would soar, huge amounts of carbon would be released into the atmosphere and many surrounding villages would flood. De-forestation for farmland destroys all manner of natural balances and is one of the biggest drivers of climate change, a danger that affects us all.
Orangutans and other species that share the rain forest play an important part for our eco system. Orangutans are sometimes referred to as ‘gardeners of the Forest’ as they eat hundreds of different of fruits and then plant the seeds throughout the forest in their dung.
The problem with Palm Oil
Palm oil is found in everyday foods and cosmetics and is contributing to the rapid deforestation in Sumatra. Orangutan habitat is being cleared at an alarming rate to make way for the palm oil plantations as it is a huge income and employment for countries such as Indonesia.
However, if we boycott palm oil this could have an even more devastating effect as it could be replaced by other commodities which require more land, use pesticides and more water to grow so its about producing sustainable palm oil and working with local communities and organisations.
Did you know that Sumatran orangutans are not the only species which are critically endangered? the Sumatran Tiger, Elephant and Rhino are too as they all share the same habitat. The only place on earth where these species live alongside each other
Making a difference to the world is really important to Katie no matter how small. This includes who and how it’s made, how well they are treated and paid, what impact the manufacturing the product and it’s materials has on the environment and ways to give back and help wildlife which are crucial for a healthy Eco system and human survival.
Protecting the orangutans is so important. Buy an orangutan sweat short or print and Tommy and Lottie will donate to SOS.
For more information on protecting the orangutans and how you can help please refer to the Sumatran Orangutan Society’s website. www.orangutans-sos.org/crisis/
To buy your sweat shirt or print, see visit Tommy and Lottie’s website –www.tommyandlottie.com
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