Most people think that celebrities are out of touch with reality. They live in their own worlds and float in their bubbles among others just like them – wealthy and famous.
Still, celebrities are human. Like us, they too have interests and things that they are passionate about. When the cameras aren’t rolling, they tend to these interests and concerns just like anybody else.
Judi Dench is one of those celebrities.
However, she’s chosen to keep the camera rolling to bring awareness to something she is extremely passionate about and something that genuinely concerns her.
Judi Dench, (Dame Judi), has completed a documentary with Atlantic Productions to bring awareness to the growing threat of the homes of endangered species (deforestation).
The two-part documentary titled, “Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo Adventure,” was shot for ITV and premiered back in July of this year.
Dame Judi announced that she adopted three orangutans during a Q&A for the movie’s premiere. The event was hosted by Rainforest Trust at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington.
Although the adoption was announced in June, it appears that she adopted the orangutans back in 2018.
The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) wrote on their Facebook page welcoming Dame Judi to their family and congratulating her on the adoption.
BOS quoted Dame Judi:
“If not us, who then could speak out against the destruction of their habitat and the extinction of the species? If we do not stop this injustice now, then when? This is what we owe our closest relatives – the orang-utans – as well as our children and grandchildren.”
https://www.facebook.com/bosaustralia/photos/a.169099316457443/2152592164774805/?type=1&theater
The adoption solidifies Dame Judi’s stance on the issue of deforestation and helps to magnify the issue of endangered species, like orangutans, losing their homes.
According to Greenpeace, the number of orangutans has been cut in half from 1999 to 2015, estimating to about 150,000 orangutans lost, equalling out to 25 orangutans every day.
One of the biggest threats to the homes of these species is the growing demand for palm oil.
Palm oil is used in several various products including chocolate, soap, cosmetics, toothpaste, lotion, and many others.
In fact, palm oil is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet, according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
In addition to palm oil playing an unhealthy role in human health (it has such a high saturated fat content making it harmful to cardiovascular health), the growing demand for it is wiping out forests, mainly in Indonesia, to make way for palm oil plantations.
Greenpeace had shared that an area of a soccer field is destroyed every 25 seconds in Indonesia to make way for these plantations.
BOS stated:
“These rainforests are hotspots for biodiversity, and vital for regulating the Earth’s climate.”
In the documentary, Judi talks with scientists from the environmental charity South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP).
Dr. Glen Reynolds, Director at SEARRP, said:
“This new documentary with Dame Judi provides an opportunity for us to showcase how, with our partners in Malaysia, we are working to study and protect rainforests and demonstrate the critical role they play in regulating the Earth’s climate, maintaining biodiversity, and supporting human livelihoods and wellbeing.”
What an incredible night! A massive thank you to the magical Judi Dench for the mesmerising performance in her Borneo Adventure and her patronage for @SEARRP ! Catch it on ITV on the 2nd of July #JudiTalksBorneo !! pic.twitter.com/gsfmCVTnEk
— SEARRP (@SEARRP) June 22, 2019
The documentary also details how orangutans specifically help to prevent global warming.
Orangutans spread the seeds from the trees. This removes harmful carbon from the atmosphere once they have grown.
Orangutans, like other species in the forest, play an intricate part in maintaining the environment’s balance.
Dame Judi travels to various habitats off the coastline of the Malaysian Borneo, where she visits wildlife such as orangutans, elephants, crocodiles, hornbills, and many others.
Dame Judi is using her influence to bring awareness to issues that require immediate attention as deforestation is a danger to us all.
Watch the video below to watch a snippet of the documentary!
You can visit ITV for more info about the documentary.
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