Indonesia, Carbon Emissions, and Tree Harvesting: A New York Times Article Assessment

The Kampar Peninsula in Indonesia stretches for miles with many Trees and Shrubs. It is one of the Earth's largest stores of carbon dioxide, but this carbon is leaking out. Canals, both illegal and legal, along the rivers down the peninsula are drying and draining the land. They are causing a release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is a prime reason why Indonesia is the world's third biggest greenhouse has emitter, following only the U.S. and China. These leaks were apparent to a nearby family of fisherman. The family observed the water by their home getting browner and more acidic. The water was described as coffee-colored. The Kampar Peninsula is of great ecological importance, but the only plan to stop these leaks is coming from a paper and pulp company, that has been responsible for much of the deforestation that has been occurring in the region. Ironic? This company is Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL). The company's goal is to create a ring of industrial tree plantations around the peninsula.

The company hopes to receive "carbon credits" for doing this under the United Nations program to reward nations for conserving forests and reforesting degraded ones. This program, Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is expected to be part of the new climate treaty in the coming month. Deforestation is responsible for 20%! of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Developing nations, like Indonesia, will be paid in these "carbon credits" that they can then sell to industrialized nations looking to reduce their emissions. "We could perhaps reduce the annual Indonesian emissions by 5 percent with this on project", said Jouko Vitra. This one project can make a difference.

I believe that this program and programs like it will be extremely beneficial to the health of the global ecology. The Kampar Peninsula is rich with life and diversity, from Sumatran tigers, bears, monkeys, crocodiles, etc. This Peninsula should be preserved for it may be a small step in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, but it may show that we can change our environment for the better and work together in dong so. I am very curious to see how this issue will be addressed at the coming environmental talks that are currently occurring and how this “carbon credit” system will unfold. More on the issue to follow.

Reference:

1.)http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/science/earth/30climate.html?_r=1&ref=earth