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Loss of Critical Habitat for Endangered Species
Loss of Critical Habitat for Endangered Species
The largest impact of unsustainable palm oil production is the large-scale deforestation of tropical forests.
The largest impact of unsustainable palm oil production is the large-scale deforestation of tropical forests.
Deforestation creates widespread habitat loss for endangered species like Asian rhinos, elephants, tigers, and orangutans.
Deforestation creates widespread habitat loss for endangered species like Asian rhinos, elephants, tigers, and orangutans.
Asian Rhino
Sumatran Elephant
Sumatran Tiger
Sumatran Orangutan
Air Pollution
Air Pollution
Burning is a common method for clearing vegetation in natural forests as well as within oil palm plantations. The burning of forests releases smoke and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, polluting the air and contributing to climate change. The smoke and haze from these blazes have evident health consequences throughout Southeast Asia.
Burning is a common method for clearing vegetation in natural forests as well as within oil palm plantations. The burning of forests releases smoke and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, polluting the air and contributing to climate change. The smoke and haze from these blazes have evident health consequences throughout Southeast Asia.
Soil and Water Pollution
Soil and Water Pollution
A palm oil mill generates 2.5 metric tons of effluent for every metric ton of palm oil it produces. The direct release of this effluent can cause freshwater pollution, which in turn affects downstream biodiversity and people. While oil palm plantations are not large users of pesticides and fertilizers overall, the Indiscriminate application of these materials can pollute surface and groundwater sources.
A palm oil mill generates 2.5 metric tons of effluent for every metric ton of palm oil it produces. The direct release of this effluent can cause freshwater pollution, which in turn affects downstream biodiversity and people. While oil palm plantations are not large users of pesticides and fertilizers overall, the Indiscriminate application of these materials can pollute surface and groundwater sources.
Soil Erosion
Soil Erosion
Erosion occurs when forests are being cleared to establish plantations, and can also be caused by planting trees in inappropriate arrangements. The main cause of erosion is the planting of oil palms on steep slopes. Erosion causes increased flooding and silt deposits in rivers and ports. Eroded areas require more fertilizer and other inputs, including repair of roads and other infrastructure.
Erosion occurs when forests are being cleared to establish plantations, and can also be caused by planting trees in inappropriate arrangements. The main cause of erosion is the planting of oil palms on steep slopes. Erosion causes increased flooding and silt deposits in rivers and ports. Eroded areas require more fertilizer and other inputs, including repair of roads and other infrastructure.
Climate Change
Climate Change
The practice of destroying natural habitats into palm oil plantations is extremely damaging to the environment. These natural habitats work as "carbon sinks" which store a large amount of carbon per unit area than many other ecosystems in the world. Additionally, forest fires used to clear vegetation in the establishment of oil palm plantations are a source of carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change. Due to the large amount of deforestation that occurs in Indonesia, it is considered the third-largest global emitter of greenhouse gasses.
The practice of destroying natural habitats into palm oil plantations is extremely damaging to the environment. These natural habitats work as "carbon sinks" which store a large amount of carbon per unit area than many other ecosystems in the world. Additionally, forest fires used to clear vegetation in the establishment of oil palm plantations are a source of carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change. Due to the large amount of deforestation that occurs in Indonesia, it is considered the third-largest global emitter of greenhouse gasses.
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