When it comes to deforestation, it is easy to blame the country's environmental policies and people's backward mentality about conserving the nature. However, the root of the problem usually lies outside the country. As the article mentions, the Sumatran plantations supply the world with toilet paper, biofuels and vegetable oil. It is ironic that the WWF told the Indonesian government and the world to halt the growth of palm oil plantations, in a bid to reduce deforestation. However, as always, supply and demand are the main reasons for unsustainable practices. People around the world like their chocolates, toilet paper, biofuels, margarine, and cream cheese (things that can be produced from palm oil). Are they willing to sacrifice or consume less of those things for the sake of the rainforests? Until alternative, more sustainable methods are put into place, people will likely to continue to maintain their lifestyle choices.
Source:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/26/sumatra-borneo-deforestation-tigers-palm-oil
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