We can't go on like this ...
In recent decades, forest destruction in Indonesia has increased dramatically. Deforestation has serious impacts on the environment and the people who live in these areas. There are several reasons why deforestation in Indonesia must stop.
One of the main problems is the expansion of agricultural land, especially palm oil plantations. These plantations have led to the deforestation of large areas of forest to make way for the cultivation of palm trees. Deforestation has led to the destruction of the habitat of animals such as orangutans, tigers and elephants, contributing to their extinction or a sharp reduction in their populations. Europe is also contributing to this destructive trend. The EU, for example, is the world's third largest consumer of palm oil.
Another problem is the exploitation of forest resources through illegal logging. These practices lead to soil erosion, resulting in desertification, flooding and landslides. Deforestation also contributes to global warming, as trees normally absorb and store carbon, and after deforestation not only are the trees missing that could sequester carbon, but also the biomass in the soil causes greenhouse gas emissions, which are now released into the atmosphere.
A good alternative to deforestation is agroforestry. This method combines agricultural land with forest areas to ensure sustainable use of natural resources. Agroforestry can help improve soil, conserve biodiversity and slow climate change by storing carbon in the soil and trees, as well as stabilising ecosystems and making them more resilient to extreme weather events.
Agroforestry can also help local communities by improving food security and income. It allows people to live and work on their own lands while helping to protect forests. This is particularly important in areas where local communities depend on forests for their livelihoods.