EU Bio-Fuel Demand Threatens Indonesian Forests

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File photo of Indonesian rainforest.

by Staff Writers
Jakarta (AFP) Jan 23, 2007
Growing European Union demand for bio-fuel could threaten Indonesia's last remaining forests as the government approves new palm oil plantations, environmental group Greenpeace warned Thursday. "Given the indiscriminate approval by the Indonesian government for palm oil plantations, the large demand from the EU could prove to be the final nail in the coffin for our remaining forests," Greenpeace Southeast Asia campaigner Hapsoro said in a statement.

Under an EU directive, bio-fuels should have a 5.75 percent market share by 2010. He said the EU should put in place stringent measures on bio-fuel supplies.

Earlier this month, Indonesia signed dozens of agreements on bio-fuel production worth a total of 12.4 billion dollars.

Local governments in Kalimantan, on Borneo island, and West Papua have provided about one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of land to support the project. "So far, there is no confirmation from the government and companies that these projects will not further destroy Indonesian forests," Greenpeace said.

Kalimantan and Papua have some of the last areas of Indonesian rainforest and are home to a rich variety of plant and animal life, with new discoveries being made on an almost monthly basis.

While Greenpeace supported the use of bio-fuels to curb greenhouse gases, "trying to solve one environmental problem by wiping out Indonesian forests is not only senseless but could further put the lives of Indonesians in danger," Hapsoro said.

"The government must realize that massive forest degradation in Indonesia is responsible for major disasters that killed a lot of Indonesians," he said.

Several devastating floods and landslides have been blamed on deforestation, most recently in the north of Sumatra island, where more than 400,000 people were forced to flee flash floods last month.

Source: Agence France-Presse

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Millions Pledged To Save Canadian Amazon

Vancouver (AFP) Jan 21, 2007
Canada will spend 30 million Canadian dollars (25.5 million US) to preserve the world's largest coastal temperate rainforest, home to aboriginal communities and tall trees, the federal government announced Sunday. "We know there is a strong link between a healthy ecosystem, a healthy society and Canada's economic prosperity," Environment Minister John Baird said in a statement.

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