Indonesia and Palm Oil

Forest Conversion from WWF

Home to the Sumatran Tiger, Orangutan, Rhino and Elephant, plus a plethora of others species, Indonesia ranks as one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet alongside Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Aside from being home to these species, the Indonesian tropical forests provide a substantial service to the world’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and creating oxygen. 

            This ecosystem service however, is under tremendous stress. Rise in world demand for palm oil have resulted in very high rates of deforestation, leaving many of its species in danger of poachers and displacement as a result of ensuing industrialization and destruction on their habitat. With Indonesia’s economy now running primarily on palm oil, efforts to decrease their rate of deforestation have been difficult as corruption is also rampant. 

            The high rate of deforestation must also dramatically decrease if climate scientists and the world has any chance of lowering greenhouse levels in maintaining global temperature within 2° C. It is very important for people throughout the world to understand what is happening in Southeast Asia. Learn what you can about Indonesia, and get the facts. Industry is currently winning there, but at the expense of the health of our planet and our future. 

            The Guardian recently posted ‘Indonesia’s deforestation is a disaster for the planet’ – audio slideshow. In this slideshow, you can see Paul Hilton’s account of what is occurring in the country. Take a moment from your day to watch this 6 min video, and understand what is occurring there to the animals and to our planet. The link to the audio slideshow is found below. 

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/audioslideshow/2014/apr/24/indonesia-deforestation-wildlife-paul-hilton-audio-slideshow?CMP=EMCENVEML1631