Deforestation in Sumatra

A tree stump is visible in an area which has recently been deforested to expand the Duta Palma Palm oil plantation.

Unique identifier: GP01GOY

Type: Image

Shoot date: 19/03/2008

Locations: Indonesia, Kuala Cenaku, Riau, Southeast Asia, Sumatra

Credit line: © Greenpeace / Natalie Behring

Ranking: ★★★★★★ (B)

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Documentation on Palm Oil Industry in Indonesia

Sumatra is home to a number of palm oil plantations such as the ever expanding Duta-Palma plantation which employs people from the local area to work in the fields. For a days work the workers will be paid around $3.50 US.
The production of palm oil and the expansion of the industry by cosmetic, food and biofuel company’s is driving the wholesale destruction of Indonesia’s rainforests and peatlands through growing palm oil consumption. The natural peatlands are drained and the areas are burned in order to make space for plant palm oil saplings. This causes massive amounts of biodiversity loss and releases vast amounts of peatland carbon in the form of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

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Documentation on Palm Oil Industry in Indonesia (Photo & Video)

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