Deforestation in Indonesia

Forest fires in Indonesia have increased dramatically during 2014 and 2015. And it causes tree cover loss that is needed by the mammals and birds that require the trees’ shelter and food. Tree cover loss is the removal or death of trees. Indonesia and Brazil remain important for their size and as major laboratories of forest policy. Indonesia is also the sixth highest greenhouse gas-emitting countries in the world.

Land use change is the largest contributor to emissions in both countries, causing nearly 45% of total emissions in Brazil and 55% in Indonesia. After a reported drop in tree cover loss in 2013, conservationists and government officials were hopeful that their efforts to reduce deforestation were paying off. Sadly, deforestation activities increased again in 2014.

Riau has the largest loss, and almost all occurs within oil palm and wood fiber concession areas. The main causes of deforestation in Indonesia, as well as many other countries, are cattle ranching, the creating vast areas for housing and urbanization, harvesting trees to create paper and tissue we use every day, and the growing of palm trees to produce oil for cooking.

Indonesia is a treasure chest of biodiversity and one of the lungs of Earth; it is home to between 10 and 15% of all known plants, mammals, and birds. Orangutans, elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, more than 1,500 species of birds and thousands of plant species are all part of the country’s natural legacy.

The lives of millions of Indonesians that depend on the forests’ food and shelter are changing throughout the years as the forests begin to disappear. The effects on deforestation are threatening many people’s lives;

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      - Hundreds or perhaps thousands of species are lost during deforestation activities. 70% of the world’s species of animals in forests are losing their natural habitats to deforestation. Loss of habitat could lead to a species’ extinction.

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      - Trees are important because they hold water from causing floods, and they anchor the soil from erosion. Without trees, the soil is free to wash away into rivers, streams and sea, which can lead to vegetation growth problems. Although we do plant small plants or cash plants such as coffee, soy, and cocoa, they are not able to anchor soil as well as trees do.

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      - If soil isn’t anchored, they will wash away to water sources which affect the quality of water. People depending on the water in that area will have problems with their health when they use it.

A few months ago, a fire occurred in one of Sumatra’s rain forests and hundreds of troops and firemen were sent to put out the fire. That day, Indonesia finally accepts Singapore’s offer to help fight the occurring forest fires.

We all want to end this chaos, but how?

The answer is simple; what you can do is…

Ø Tell your friends, family and other people about what is happening to our forests and ask them to donate money to help wildlife conservation.

Ø Buy products that use paper or cardboard as its package. Try to prevent yourself on buying things that use plastics or cans.

Ø Recycle your used paper, cans, and plastic. You can turn your used item into something new and useful without having to create or buy more.

Ø When you go to school, work, or somewhere else, avoid riding personal cars or drive along with your friends using a bus, one car for all, or a school ride so you won’t have to waste too much gas.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s save the world!