Is Biodiesel Made From Palm Oil Threatening the Very Existence of Orangutan's?

Many environmental organisations and conservationists have been warning us that eating foods and using biodiesel made from palm oil is having a direct result upon and threatening the survival of that much loved primate the Orangutan.

So what's all the fuss about?

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Environmentalists have commonly been largely supportive of the adoption of biodiesel because, apart from being biodegradable, it gives off fewer emissions when used in our vehicles. Not all biodiesel fuel is the same however, some are best than others in the way they are produced and environmental organisations have begun to inquire oil palm cultivation especially, in up-to-date years, how large areas of natural rainforest have been cleared to make way for oil palm plantations. It is argued that apart from the loss of forest ecosystems, oil palm cultivation has become a major polluter on a local level due to indiscriminate use of petroleum based pesticides and fertilizers. This has lead to soils becoming so polluted over time that many previously fertile areas have become wastelands.

What has given rise to this deforestation?

Western governments have largely embraced the need to cut emissions and have set aggressive targets encompassing the use of so called first generation Biofuels made from food crops. The transportation sector has been singled out due to the fact it is a major volume source of carbon emissions. It could be argued that this has contributed directly to the rapid improvement of the Biofuels industry and marketplace. Also the rise in the cost of crude oil to report levels by mid 2008 meant palm oil has become an increasingly leading agricultural crop in tropical countries with Malaysia and Indonesia seeing the chance for increased exploitation. These two countries inventory now for around 85% of palm oil yield across the world. This area of the world is also the natural habitat of Orang-utans and the increased deforestation is now a threat to their very existence.

But why is Palm Oil so important?

Quite plainly oil palm is the most sufficient oil seed there is and it can produce over 10 times more crude oil per hectare than soybeans and over 20 times more than corn. an additional one factor development palm oil in expanding inquire is apart from being used in Biodiesel production, it is also used as an ingredient in many other day to day household foodstuffs as well as cosmetics. Ironically, oil palm may be more ecologically friendly due its higher yield factor in theory requiring less land by a needful factor than former crops. Many environmental organisations, oil associates and western governments recognise this and are beginning to try to put the case to the local governments concerned.

But oil prices are going down now so will inquire for palm oil drop?

Palm oil prices tend to move in step with the price of crude oil and while the second half of 2008 prices have fallen rapidly also as a result of the global retreat inquire for palm oil should slow down. Critically, does this mean we will see a slow down in the expansion of oil palm plantations? contribute and inquire economics for palm oil propose it should do, but the sceptics among us have maintained that oil palm improvement may in fact be a cover for something that is far more profitable - logging. In Indonesia millions of hectares of forest have been cleared for plantation improvement and plans are in place to double oil palm yield over the next 15 to 20 years spilling over into Borneo. Logging is a much more profitable to both the logging associates and the local governments.

What of the Orangutans?

I'm not sure Orangutans understand the economics and politics in their region of the world. If they did then it is likely they would be putting pressure on the governments both locally and around the world to re-consider the plans they have for what is still the largest tropical rainforest in Asia. Possibly the local agricultural ministers in inquire should look at the mounting pressure from the West, look to their conscience and re-evaluate all ready information. Possibly they would then realise that the long term survival of the regions biodiversity is not only crucial for local indigenous peoples but also our friendly Orangutans and who knows Possibly the very survival of our planet in the long term.

Is Biodiesel Made From Palm Oil Threatening the Very Existence of Orangutan's?

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