Indonesia's Deforestation: How It Affects Indigenous Communities and the Global Climate.
Indonesia, home to the world's third-largest rainforest, is facing a major environmental threat The government's plan to expand palm oil plantations has sparked worries about deforestation. loss of indigenous lands, and climate change. While palm oil is vital for the economy, it's uncontrolled expansion could harm Indonesia and the entire planet.
Indonesia’s Plan to Expand Palm Oil in Papua
Indonesia is one of the world's largest palm oil producers, and the government plans to expand plantations in Papua, a region with rich biodiversity and Indigenous communities (Reuters, 2024). Officials believe this expansion will improve the economy and increase biofuel production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, this expansion comes with grave environmental and social concerns. Large-scale deforestation, loss of traditional lands of Papua, and cultural disruption are significant risks that need to be addressed.
Source: Global Forest Watch
Environmental Effects of Palm Oil Expansion
Reducing Carbon Emissions.
Forests play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide. When they are cleared, large amounts of carbon are released into the atmosphere, making climate change worse. Studies show that tropical forests store six times more carbon than palm oil plantations (ICCT, 2024). Protecting these forests is vital to reducing global carbon emissions.
Peatlands and Fire Risks.
Peatlands store a massive amount of carbon, but when they are drained for palm oil plantations, they release harmful greenhouse gases. Fires on peatlands are hazardous because they burn underground, creating long-lasting pollution. In 2015, fires in Indonesia peatlands destroyed 2,6 million hectares of land (European Parliament Research Service, 2020).
The Impact on Indigenous Communities
#AllEyesOnPapua: The Reality of Deforestation
A viral campaign, #AllEyesOnPapua, has raised awareness about forest destruction in Papua. In 2023 alone, 18,342 hectares of forest were lost an area almost twice the size of Manhattan. Of this, 13,554 hectares were cleared for logging, and 3,781 hectares for palm oil plantations (Mongabay, 2024).
Logging remains the biggest cause of deforestation, but palm oil plantations are not far behind. Over the past five years, 32,597 hectares of Papua’s forests have been destroyed. Areas like Teluk Bintuni and Sorong have lost vast stretches of land to commercial plantations. Large companies such as Indo Gunta Group and Salim Group dominate the industry, leaving local communities with little say over their land.
For indigenous Papuans, forests are not just land they are home. They provide food, medicine, and cultural identity. Losing these forests means losing a way of life that has existed for generations.
The photo depicts Indigenous Papuans visiting the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Indonesia to voice their opposition to land clearing for palm oil plantations. They express their disagreement through a traditional ritual, symbolizing their refusal to allow Papua’s land to be exploited and its forests—considered their home— to be destroyed.
Pusaka. (n.d.). Events. Retrieved,from https://pusaka.or.id/event/
Finding a Balance: Economic Growth vs. Environmental Protection
A viral campaign, #AllEyesOnPapua, has raised awareness about forest destruction in Papua. In 2023 alone, 18,342 hectares of forest were lost an area almost twice the size of Manhattan. Of this, 13,554 hectares were cleared for logging, and 3,781 hectares for palm oil plantations (Mongabay, 2024).
Logging remains the biggest cause of deforestation, but palm oil plantations are not far behind. Over the past five years, 32,597 hectares of Papua’s forests have been destroyed. Areas like Teluk Bintuni and Sorong have lost vast stretches of land to commercial plantations. Large companies such as Indo Gunta Group and Salim Group dominate the industry, leaving local communities with little say over their land.
For indigenous Papuans, forests are not just land they are home. They provide food, medicine, and cultural identity. Losing these forests means losing a way of life that has existed for generations.
Pusaka. (n.d.). Events. Retrieved,from https://pusaka.or.id/event/
Government Efforts to Protect the Environment
The Indonesian government has taken some steps to reduce deforestation:
Stronger deforestation laws: A moratorium was introduced in 2018 to stop new palm oil plantations in primary forests, but enforcing this law remains difficult.
Sustainable palm oil certification: The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) promotes eco-friendly palm oil, though only a small percentage of Indonesia’s production meets these standards.
Forest restoration programs: Some efforts are being made to rehabilitate deforested areas, but progress is slow.
What Indigenous Communities Want
Indigenous Papuans have specific requests to protect their land and rights:
Legal land rights: Indigenous groups seek official recognition of their ancestral lands to prevent illegal deforestation.
Sustainable economic alternatives: Instead of palm oil, they propose eco-tourism, agroforestry, and small-scale farming to boost their local economies.
Corporate accountability: Companies involved in deforestation should be responsible for restoring damaged lands.
Government Efforts to Protect the Environment
The Indonesian government has taken some steps to reduce deforestation:
Stronger deforestation laws: A moratorium was introduced in 2018 to stop new palm oil plantations in primary forests, but enforcing this law remains difficult.
Sustainable palm oil certification: The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) promotes eco-friendly palm oil, though only a small percentage of Indonesia’s production meets these standards.
Forest restoration programs: Some efforts are being made to rehabilitate deforested areas, but progress is slow.
What Indigenous Communities Want
Indigenous Papuans have specific requests to protect their land and rights:
Legal land rights: Indigenous groups seek official recognition of their ancestral lands to prevent illegal deforestation.
Sustainable economic alternatives: Instead of palm oil, they propose eco-tourism, agroforestry, and small-scale farming to boost their local economies.
Corporate accountability: Companies involved in deforestation should be responsible for restoring damaged lands.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s deforestation problem is not just a local issue it affects the entire world. While expanding palm oil production may help the economy, it comes at a huge cost: harming indigenous communities, destroying wildlife, and worsening climate change. Sustainable palm oil production is a good step, but stricter laws, land rights protection, and alternative economic opportunities must also be prioritized.
If Indonesia and the global community do not take action, the effects of deforestation will be felt everywhere. Protecting Papua’s forests is not just about trees it’s about people, the climate, and the future of our planet.
For more information, check out these sources:
Indigenous people source: Pusaka. Events. Retrieved [, from https://pusaka.or.id/event/ Just Access. All eyes on Papua. Retrieved from https://just-access.de/all-eyes-on-papua/
Indonesia’s deforestation problem is not just a local issue it affects the entire world. While expanding palm oil production may help the economy, it comes at a huge cost: harming indigenous communities, destroying wildlife, and worsening climate change. Sustainable palm oil production is a good step, but stricter laws, land rights protection, and alternative economic opportunities must also be prioritized.
If Indonesia and the global community do not take action, the effects of deforestation will be felt everywhere. Protecting Papua’s forests is not just about trees it’s about people, the climate, and the future of our planet.
For more information, check out these sources:
I appreciate that you're always giving us insight on what is happening in Indonesia. It is so important that the government works to protect the landscape and the people living in it!
ReplyDeleteI think we often forget that these environment are people's home. Governments going around destroying indigenous communities for the sake of the economy. I glad you brought up this subject.
ReplyDeletewell said joe its crazy to think about not only are they people's home but homes to other animals as well and once an environment is to far gone the people and animals will have to move
DeleteThis post is really well done. I love how you talked about the indigenous community and how they are impacted. Too often we forget about people that live differently than we do and how our actions impact them. This deforestation is such a scary thing. I wonder what the people will do.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see people pushing back but will it be enough? I hope to see more campaigns around the world that brings the people together against a common problem such as fighting climate change.
ReplyDeleteI think the movements are picking up steam! There's grounds for lawsuits against industries that are beginning to be established, and surely with enough of us rising up to speak out against environmentally unfriendly efforts, they'll have to listen. That's my hopes at least!
DeleteDeforestation is such a scary concept when you really consider all the moving pieces that go into it. When we clear-cut trees and pave the grounds, what we lose is the Earth's natural defense against things like tropical storms and natural diseases. It's scary and sad to think of how serious and devastating the impacts will become on the planet and how soon as will. Amazing posts with great graphics and messages.
ReplyDeleteThis post is an excellent example of why future changes must be carried out in an equitable manner with respect to local populations and cultures. I like how you listed examples of exactly this kind of support like the RSPO and the requests of indigenous Papuans. Hopefully, these voices are heard and their wants are seriously taken into account.
ReplyDeleteIndonesia's deforestation crisis threatens Indigenous communities, biodiversity, and global climate stability. Sustainable solutions, stronger protections, and global accountability are essential to preserving Papua’s forests for future generations.
ReplyDeleteThis might be a silly question, but what exactly is palm oil and why is it so sought after? I am just curious as to why it is so sought after to the point of mass deforestation.
ReplyDeleteHere is a bit from Wikipedia: The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel. Palm oil accounted for about 36% of global oils produced from oil crops in 2014. Palm oils are easier to stabilize and maintain quality of flavor and consistency in ultra-processed foods, so they are frequently favored by food manufacturers.
DeleteWhat are your thoughts on balancing economic growth with environmental protection?
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the solar farm in China is incredible!! I wasn't sure if it was real at first glance. Also, I like the use of highlighting areas and their acreage that have been deforested. It really helps to make the information clear.
ReplyDeletePalm oils have such a big impact on the environment and such large scale deforestation would be devasting.
ReplyDeletePalm oils go by a couple different names, too, though I can't think of many at the moment. And it's a shame how indigenous peoples almost always seem to be getting the short end of the stick in terms of development efforts. Having their lands encroached upon and destroyed, pushed out of homelands, and many other issues, and it isn't unique to any one part of the world. :( We need to do better and be conscious about our effects on vulnerable communities.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very powerful blog post thank you for sharing. It's truly crazy to think that the sole purpose for this deforestation and negative impacts is due to the need for palm oil. I understand how important palm oil is, but I always wonder if there are ways around this.
ReplyDeleteIt’s encouraging to see that the Indonesian government has taken some steps, like stronger deforestation laws and sustainability certifications. But enforcement remains a huge challenge.
ReplyDeleteWe as humans need to understand what we do may have an effect on others homes, and well being. We never really take into consideration how we affect others.
ReplyDelete