Iceland’s planned Christmas advert was banned for being too political, but a petition calling for it to be shown has gained more than 680,000 signatures.
The thought-provoking advert shows the devastating impact of palm oil production on rainforests and wildlife.
The cartoon Christmas campaign depicts an orangutan crashing around a little girl’s bedroom.
A narrator explains that the ape has been left homeless as humans have destroyed his habitat to develop palm oil.
Campaign
The campaign calls for the advert to be shown on UK TV, describing the ban is an ‘injustice’.
Mark Topps, who started the petition, said: “Palm oil is a product that can be found in everything from shampoos and detergents to sandwiches and biscuits.
“It’s one of the most environmentally-damaging industries, and each day 25 orangutans are killed. It’s production wipes out rainforests and wildlife, driving animals like the orangutan into extinction.”
The campaign to allow the video to be shown has been supported by James Corden, who recently turned vegetarian. His post of the video has nearly 16 million views.
Iceland has received ‘overwhelming support’ for the ad, which has had 13 million views on the supermarket’s Facebook page and 90,000 retweets.
Law
The ad, which was originally made by Greenpeace, has been banned by Clearcast – the body which reviews TV adverts in the UK.
It was banned because it breaches a law stating that adverts are not allowed if they are “inserted by or on behalf of a body whose objects are wholly or mainly of a political nature”.
The petition, which is shown below, can be signed here.
Petition
Iceland released a Christmas advert today highlighting the devastation caused by palm oil products. It was a beautiful and important message. But the tv regulators have banned the advert, for being too political!
Palm oil is a product that can be found in everything from shampoos and detergents to sandwiches and biscuits.. It’s one of the most environmentally-damaging industries, and each day 25 orangutans are killed. It’s production wipes out rainforests and wildlife, driving animals like the orangutan into extinction.
As a father of three who thinks this ad would help educate people about how their products are killing orangutans and their homes, I feel banning this advert is an injustice.
The body that stopped the advert being broadcasted, ClearCast, say that the ad breaches it’s political rules. The ad holds an important message – one that is emotional, touching and helps to spread a message about saving the environment and so must be broadcasted. If you haven’t watched it, you can find it here. It’s so powerful.
Please sign this petition if you too believe the ban should be overturned so that this ad can be on TV screens at Christmas.
What do you think of Iceland’s palm oil ad? Tell us in the comments section below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Bristol crowned most vegan-friendly city in the UK
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 13th January 2021
The city ranked just above London, Edinburgh, and Belfast as one of the top cities for vegans. Bristol has earned the top spot of being the most vegan-friendly city in the UK, according to new research. With over 1 million Brits now taking up a plant-based lifestyle – with many inspired by Veganuary- the study …
Lewis Hamilton awarded knighthood in UK’s New Year Honours list
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 1st January 2021
“All of us congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition of his achievements and look forward to seeing more of his brilliance in 2021.” Lewis Hamilton has added another feather to his cap after he was knighted in the UK’s New Year Honours List, officially declared on Wednesday evening. The honour, which is in recognition of …
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …