“There is concern that much of the palm production is unsustainable, with complex issues relating to decreased biodiversity, soil degradation, displacement of local people, land rights, and species endangerment. Palm oil is produced in Thailand, Nigeria and Colombia, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia, where 85 percent of global palm oil production and exportation occurs. Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, was once widely forested in biologically diverse rainforests; today, only half of the rainforests remain due to land clearing for palm oil plantations. This area is home to more than 3,000 animal species, including Sumatran tigers, pygmy elephants, rhinoceros and orangutans. According to the Rainforest Action Network, 45 million more acres of rainforest will be converted into palm oil plantations by 2020.”
November 20, 2014