rain forest
Newsletter
Credit: Rich Carey/Big Stock Photo
Palm oil deforestation in Indonesia rises, reversing a decade-long decline
After years of decreasing deforestation rates, Indonesia's palm oil industry has seen a resurgence in forest clearing, particularly on peatlands and in Borneo and Papua.
In short:
- Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, experienced an increase in deforestation for palm oil plantations in 2023, marking a shift from a decade-long downward trend.
- A significant portion of this deforestation occurred on carbon-rich peatlands, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions.
- The increase in deforestation is concentrated in Indonesian Borneo and Papua, moving away from the traditional palm oil heartland of Sumatra.
Key quote:
"So emissions from the palm oil [industry] is around a fifth of Indonesia’s emissions."
— Herry Purnomo, senior scientist and deputy country director at CIFOR
Why this matters:
The resurgence of deforestation in Indonesia for palm oil cultivation raises serious environmental concerns, particularly regarding carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. This trend challenges global efforts to combat climate change and highlights the need for sustainable agricultural practices and effective forest conservation policies.
Balancing palm oil and protected forests to conserve orangutans.
Keep reading...Show less
Why is the Amazon so important for climate change?
Here’s why the Amazon rain forest is key to protecting Earth from the detrimental effects of climate change.
'Brazil is back': Lula takes over with plans to end deforestation and become a green superpower
Brazil's new President has been sworn in and is making good on his vow to end deforestation in the Amazon.
Photo by Julian B. Sölter on Unsplash
Drop in rain forest productivity could speed future climate change
Tropical forests host a rich diversity of plant and animal life and process vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Therefore, researchers have been particularly interested in how these ecosystems might be affected by climate change.
The Amazon used to be ‘the lungs of the planet.’ Not anymore
‘The most likely scenario is that—all things considered—the basin is warming the global climate.’
www.theglobeandmail.com
Op-ed: The devastation of my Amazon homeland has accelerated during the pandemic
The region has long been at the centre of territorial conflicts, but pressure has grown in recent years as agricultural, mining and timber operations invade Indigenous lands
www.theatlantic.com
The Amazon is on fire, but Earth has plenty of oxygen
Humans could burn every living thing on the planet and still not dent its oxygen supply.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
