Introduction

Fundamentally this blog will explore the impacts of utilising the rainforest for other ecosystem services, with a strong focus on palm oil plantations. It aims to address the opportunity cost of developing virgin forest for economic gain, on both the local indigenous communities and the overall environment, especially in regard to climate change. However, before launching into the topic, I would like to give you a brief insight into the reasoning behind starting ‘Palming Off the Earth’.

Last August a friend and I volunteered as conservationists assisting an indigenous community of the Borneo Rainforest, on a hugely worthwhile afforestation project. The project aimed through the collection and cultivation of trees seedlings to replant areas of rainforest, which were once lost to palm oil plantations. Palm oil companies have now deemed these plantations unsuitable for further production, giving rise to an opportunity to create secondary forest. By living within the local community of Batu Puteh and making various journeys down the Kinabatangan River, I was able to appreciate first hand the extensive damage but also the economic benefit that the Palm Oil industry has caused within the region. From my experience in Borneo I believe that palm oil plantations will continue to be prevalent throughout Indonesia and Malaysia and may begin to appear more frequently in other less renowned regions. Therefore, throughout this blog I would like to build on my experience and investigate in greater depth not only the impacts I encountered but also literature surrounding larger issues, such as influences on climate change.

Here is a 20 minute introductory video that raises some of the issue surrounding palm oil, particularly focusing on the social aspects. If you have time do have a look and any comments on this blog are welcomed!!