Kalimantan Deforestation: Exercise 3

 

Map 1: Oil Palm Population in 1997, 2007, and 2017

    The map above represents the expansion of oil palm plantations in Kalimantan, Indonesia. The oil palm is a large source for vegetable oil, growing since 1990. Specifically, Malaysia and Indonesia produce 80% of the global supply. In today's study, we will be focusing in the 1000 square mile survey area, represented by the red outline. Oil palm expansion is measured in 3, 10-year increments, 1997, 2007, and 2017. Indicated by a red polygon, oil palm production measured approximately 14.7 square miles in 1997. Indicated by a yellow polygon, oil production measured approximately 139 square miles in 2007. Lastly, indicated by a blue polygon, oil production measured approximately 277 square miles in 2017. 

Image 1: Survey area in December 1987

Image 2: Survey area in December 2020

    As apparent through the statistics, oil palm has expanded greatly throughout the years. To further prove my point, I have included two images above. The first image is from 1987, right before the start of the oil palm growth. As you can see through the satellite image, this survey area was complete forrest before the 1990s. The second image is from 2020. As you can see, much of this area has been deforested to create room for the grid pattern oil palm farming. 

    While this might be necessary to keep up with the  demand of vegetable oil. It could be causing problems. This deforestation is causing habitat and biodiversity loss, as well as an increased level of atmospheric carbon dioxide. There are big questions we must ask ourselves. Are these oil palm plantations sustainable? Are there limits to growth? Will this contribute to limits to growth? If we look at this through the eyes of the neo-malthusians, there are limits to growth and these oil palm plantations fall perfectly in line with the factors that lead to growth limit.