Introduction
Deforestation is currently becoming one of the major global ecological issues. Whether it occurs in the temperate or tropical regions, deforestation is an environmental problem that continues to endanger the wellbeing of the world population, cause an extinction threat to most of the plant and animal species as well as increase the global warming (Colfer 10). Currently, about 15 million hectares of tropical and temperate rainforests are lost annually with the deforestation in Sumatra rainforest in Indonesia accounting for over 70% of this estimate. The deforestation in Indonesian Sumatra has surpassed that of the Amazon in Brazil and is estimated that it accounts for about 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions (Colfer 51).
The main environmental or socio-political/economic issues
Trade in timber is the major cause of deforestation in Indonesia. About 70% of the Indonesian rainforest particularly in the Sumatra region has been cleared as a result of logging. While most countries have illegalized timber exports, Indonesia has far fallen short of these regulations. Besides, timber exports contribute about 10% of the Indonesian GDP, making it difficult to eliminate timber logging and trade. As indicated by McDermott and Kanowski, countries like Indonesia with large forest cover are more likely to benefit from the lucrative timber trade 254. However, ecological footprint resulting from such trade is far and wide. While the Indonesian government is reluctant to reduce the trade and logging activities in its major forests, the effects of deforestation have a profound effect on other industries such as tourism and fishing. Continuous logging has also been found to have adverse effects on the social settings. Communities that depended on the forest have been displaced or their economic activities changed due to clearance of natural forest cover (Perez 163).
Causes and the results
As indicated, one of the major causes of the deforestation in the Indonesian Sumatra rainforest is the logging for timber trade (Weatherbee 47). About 36 hectares of forest cover are cleared daily as a result of timber harvesting. Apart from the unsustainable logging, other factors such as fuel wood harvesting, climate change and conversion of forest cover for farming and infrastructure development have also accounted for the clearance of natural forest in Indonesia (Brown and Pearce 13). As mentioned, the results range from reduced biodiversity to disruption of livelihoods. The other effects include increased greenhouse gas emissions, disrupted water cycle and increased soil erosions. Studies indicate that tropical forests such as that found in Indonesia hold over 200 gigatonnes of carbon (White 53). Destruction of such forests release large volumes of carbon into the atmosphere. Essentially, it is estimated that the destruction of Indonesian natural forests accounts for over 50% of the total forest carbon release into the atmosphere.
Actions taken to reduce deforestation in Indonesia
Both local and international conservationist groups have succeeded in raising awareness for the need to conserve the forest. In fact awareness for the need to conserve the forest has been raised at local, national and global levels. As a result, national policies and strategies aimed at combating the deforestation process have been put in place (White 229). Besides, increased funding either from the government or international organizations has been set aside to replace the destroyed forests or reduce the clearance of the natural forest cover. The government has also expressed greater effort towards replacing the timber trade with another form of commerce in order to reduce the unsustainable logging.
Summary
While timber trade is one of the lucrative export-oriented business, it is critical to understand that the effects of unsustainable logging is greater compared with the benefits gained from such trade. Therefore, there is increased need for not only the national policy against the timber trade but also a considerable global ban on timber trade and exports. Generally clear strategies encompassing both local and national actions need to be put in place to reduce the severe clearance of natural forest cover.
Works Cited
Brown, Katrina and David William Pearce. The Causes of Tropical Deforestation: The Economic and Statistical Analysis of Factors Giving Rise to the Loss of the Tropical Forests. Vancouver, Canada: UBC Press, 2004. Print.
Colfer, Carol J. Human Health and Forests: A Global Overview of Issues, Practice, and Policy. London, UK: Earthscan, 2012. Print.
McDermott, Constance and Peter Kanowski. Global Environmental Forest Policies: An International Comparison. London, UK: Earthscan, 2010. Print.
Perez, Oren. Ecological Sensitivity and Global Legal Pluralism: Rethinking the Trade and Environment Conflict. Oxford, UK: Hart Publishing, 2004. Print.
Weatherbee, Donald E. International Relations in Southeast Asia: The Struggle for Autonomy. Lanham, MA: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2008. Print.
White, Rob. Global Environmental Harm: Criminological Perspectives. London, UK: Routledge, 2013. Print.