The May 2012 Photo of the Month by Melvinas Priananda ties Indonesian rainforest destruction to one of the world’s largest purveyors of fast food. KFC is part of Yum! Brands Inc., which claims to be the worlds largest restaurant company.
Taken on recently cleared and drained rainforest peatland on the island of Sumatra, the giant fast food bag goes to ground zero in a global campaign to convince KFC to stop using throwaway packaging made by destroying the Indonesian rainforest.
I like the angle taken by the photographer. The bag with the caricature of Col. Sanders clutching a chainsaw displays the enormous impact rainforest destruction has on Indonesia, and through the release of vast amounts of carbon, the world. The tiger-costumed activist calls to mind the dwindling habitat of the endangered Sumatran tiger. I like the wide-angle lens used to great effect to scale the relative elements of the photo and fill the frame. The point of view is clear.
After repeated attempts to discuss deforestation and supply issues, Greenpeace activists made public direct actions at Yum! headquarters in Louisville, Ky., followed by actions at company outlets in Bejing, London and Amsterdam. With help from people everywhere, they might eventually heed it.
