Deforestation has always been a problem around the globe, but things have gotten especially bad on the island of Sumatra. The charred stumps and barren fields have been destroyed by paper and palm oil companies. not only does it affect air quality, but it affects the animal population and Sumarian people's livelihoods. One man said that a year ago he could earn up to 100 dollars a week catching shrimp, but now he is lucky to earn 5 dollars a month doing the exact same thing. Uses for the coveted palm oil include cosmetics and beauty products-but more increasingly it is used for biodiesel. Even the actual cutting of the trees is harmful to the environment, carbon stored in the trees is emitted into the atmosphere causing 20% of all greenhouse gasses.
More attention needs to be focused on the things that will have long term effects on our planet, and hopefully the Indonesian government will take action.
Gelling, Peter. "Forest Loss in Sumatra Becomes A Global Issue". New York Times. 6 December 2007. 8 March 2009.
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