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Threatened Indonesian peat forests find fair-weather friend
‘Made up of decomposed trees and plants, sometimes as deep as 50 feet, the waterlogged land stores billions of tons of carbon dioxide. But once drained or cleared, the peat land releases many times more carbon dioxide than the deforestation of rain forests. Most experts believe that, as with rain forests, the protection of peat swamp forests will be eligible for carbon credits under the United Nations program.’
–New York Times
Peat canal dam, Sumatra, Indonesia, photo by H Dragon (source: Flickr Creative Commons)
In Indonesia, the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, the draining of peat swamps is perilously releasing CO2. Peat swamp forests trap CO2, but the building of canals through them drains the peat into nearby river systems, thereby releasing carbon dioxide and turning the rivers’ water acidic and brown.
“We could perhaps reduce the annual Indonesian emissions by 5 percent with this one project,” said Jouko Virta, April’s president of global fiber supply, referring to the company’s plan to ring the peninsula’s core. “It’s so significant. One project.”
–New York Times
According to an article in the New York Times, the most comprehensive plan to protect the peat forests ironically comes from a major player in their destruction: Asia Pacific Resources International Limited, a large paper and pulp company. Why? REDD, or Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation, a UN plan expected to be part of the new climate treaty in Copenhagen this month. Under REDD, countries will be compensated for protecting forests. REDD aims to prevent illegal logging, preserve the habitats of vulnerable species, protect indigenous lands and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental groups like the WWF believe that companies like APRIL are the culprits of such deforestation and are just trying to get their hands on UN money.
map of peat swamp forest, Borneo, Indonesia (source: wikimedia commons)
Deforestation is responsible for 20% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and the draining of peat forests or peat bogs releases even more CO2 than deforestation does. The Kampar Peninsula is home to a million acre peat bog, which stores billions of tons of CO2 and is under threat by palm oil and paper industries.
According to an AFP article from November 19th, the Indonesian government has ordered APRIL to halt deforestation in the Kampar Peninsula.
By Graham Land
Additional resources:
WWF – Borneo peat swamp forests
Greenpeace – Kampar Peninsula slide show (with text)
Greenpeace – Greenpeace launches Forest Defenders Camp in Indonesia
Tags: carbon dioxide, carbon emissions, co2, cop15, deforestation, forest, greenhouse gas, Indonesia, Kampar Peninsula, peat, peat forest, peat swamp, REDD
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