Speak Less, Do More to Save Our Forests

All this time, the Indonesian government has only used forestry issues to boost its image or attract foreign funds. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is putting all his efforts into being seen as a global, environmentally friendly leader, with his push for a new climate change deal to replace the Kyoto Protocols and his 26 percent carbon emission cut targeted for 2020. He even imposed a moratorium on forest clearance in 2011.

Since then, friendly countries — from the United States to Australia — have committed millions of dollars to help Indonesia deal with the impacts of climate change and preserving Indonesia’s forests.

Norway, for instance, has promised Jakarta $1 billion if it proves it is able to slow the rate of forest degradation.

However, a new study has proven that Yudhoyono’s statements add up to nothing but lip service and empty promises.

Indonesia has for the first time surpassed Brazil in the rate the country is clearing its tropical forests, and degradation continues to accelerate, according to a report by the Nature Climate Change journal. The archipelago lost a whopping 60,000 square kilometers of virgin forests — an area almost as large as Ireland — from 2000-2012, partly to make way for palm oil plantations and other farms.

The country’s rate of deforestation in 2012 alone reached 8,400 square kilometers, compared to the 4,600 square kilometers in Brazil. This should act as a jarring wake up call for both Indonesians and the international community.

Whoever comes out as the country’s next president in the July 9 election must do everything he can to end deforestation, as Indonesia’s forests are the backbone of the archipelago and the lungs of our planet.

By Jakarta Globe on 09:43 pm Jul 01, 2014