The Indonesian government has announced that it will be making the burning of peatlands illegal. The decision has been made in an attempt to combat the huge amount of air pollution that is being caused by the burning. The new law is expected to come into effect from January 1st, 2019.
Peat is a type of soil that is made up of partly decayed plant material. It is found in many parts of the world, including Indonesia. The soil is very dense, and it is often used as a fuel to generate heat and power.
However, the burning of peatlands is a major contributor to air pollution. The smoke and fumes that are released can cause a number of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer. In recent years, the burning of peat has become a major issue in Indonesia, and it has been blamed for the country’s high levels of air pollution.
In an attempt to address the issue, the Indonesian government has announced that it will be making the burning of peatlands illegal. The new law is expected to come into effect from January 1st, 2019.
Under the new law, people who burn peatlands will be fined up to $100,000, and they could also face up to five years in prison. The government is also planning to set up a task force to enforce the new law.
Many people have welcomed the government’s decision. However, some experts have raised concerns that the law may not be effective in combating the problem of air pollution.
Air pollution is a serious problem in Indonesia, and the new law is a welcome step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to address the issue, including the introduction of more stringent regulations and the development of better infrastructure.
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Is Indonesia still burning forest?
Since the early 1990s, Indonesia has been one of the world’s leading emitters of greenhouse gases from land-use change, primarily due to deforestation. A recent study shows that the country’s deforestation rate has slowed in the past decade, but it’s still burning forest.
From 2000 to 2012, Indonesia lost more than 7 million hectares of forest, an area larger than the U.K. That’s a rate of loss of forest cover of 1.5 percent per year. In the 1990s, the deforestation rate was 3.5 percent per year.
The main reasons for this slowdown are the establishment of moratoriums on new logging concessions in 2011 and 2012, and a decline in the demand for palm oil.
But despite these measures, Indonesia is still burning forest. A study published in March 2017 in the journal Nature found that more than 8,000 square kilometers of forest were burned between 2013 and 2015. That’s an area about the size of Switzerland.
The study also found that the fire hotspots were located in areas where commercial forestry and palm oil plantations are expanding.
So what can be done to stop the burning of forest in Indonesia?
One important measure is to strengthen the moratoriums on new logging concessions.
Another is to increase the price of palm oil. This would make it less economical to clear forest for palm oil plantations.
The government of Indonesia should also invest in forest restoration, so that degraded forests can be brought back to a more natural state.
And finally, the international community can help by providing funding for these measures and by encouraging the use of sustainable palm oil.
Why do Indonesia burn forest?
Every year, Indonesia burns forests and peatlands, emitting vast quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This destruction has a devastating impact on the environment and public health, and it also contributes significantly to climate change.
Indonesia has the world’s third-largest area of tropical forest, after Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The forests play a crucial role in regulating the climate, and they are also home to a vast array of species that are found nowhere else on earth.
The forests and peatlands of Indonesia are being burned at an alarming rate, in order to make way for plantation development and agriculture. The fires are started illegally, often by people who are clearing land for their own use. The flames spread rapidly, due to the dry conditions and the presence of peatlands, which are highly flammable.
The smoke from the fires is a major public health hazard, and it can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and other illnesses. The fires also produce huge amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.
The Indonesian government has taken some steps to address the problem of forest burning, but more needs to be done. The authorities should increase efforts to crack down on the illegal burning of forests and peatlands, and they should also provide financial and technical assistance to help local communities to develop sustainable land use practices.
Why are peatlands burning in Indonesia BBC news?
Every year, Indonesia’s peatlands burn. This year is no different, with thousands of hectares going up in flames. The fires have caused health problems for people in the region and released large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
What are peatlands?
Peatlands are areas of wetland that are made up of partially decayed vegetation. The vegetation accumulates over time, forming a thick, spongy layer of earth. Peatlands are found in many parts of the world, but they are particularly common in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Why do peatlands burn?
Peatlands often burn because of human activity. People may set fire to the peatlands to clear land for agriculture or to make it easier to extract the peat for use as fuel. The fires can also be started accidentally, for example by a lightning strike or by a spark from a cigarette.
What are the consequences of peatland fires?
The fires can cause a lot of damage. They can destroy homes and businesses, and they can also kill wildlife. The smoke from the fires can cause health problems for people living in the region, and it can also damage the environment. The fires can also release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.
What happens when peat is burned?
When peat is burned, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This contributes to climate change and global warming. Peatlands are also an important storehouse for carbon, so when they are burned, this carbon is released into the atmosphere as well.
Additionally, when peat is burned, it releases harmful pollutants into the air, including black carbon, which can aggravate respiratory problems and contribute to climate change.
Peatlands also play an important role in regulating water levels and in storing water, so when they are burned, this can lead to increased flooding or drought.
Thus, when peat is burned, it not only contributes to climate change and global warming, but can also have harmful impacts on human health and the environment.
When did deforestation start in Indonesia?
Deforestation in Indonesia has a long and complex history, with industrial-scale deforestation only starting in the 1970s. The main cause of deforestation has been the expansion of the agricultural sector, with the planting of oil palm and pulpwood plantations being the primary drivers of deforestation.
Deforestation in Indonesia first started to occur on a large scale in the 1970s, when the Indonesian government began to promote large-scale industrial logging and plantation development. This was in response to the oil crisis of 1973, which led to a rapid expansion of the oil palm and pulpwood industries.
The main drivers of deforestation in Indonesia have been the expansion of the oil palm and pulpwood industries.
Oil palm plantations are responsible for the majority of deforestation in Indonesia, as they are the most rapidly expanding agricultural sector. The oil palm industry is driven by the global demand for palm oil, which is used in a wide range of products, including food, cosmetics, and biofuels.
Pulpwood plantations have also been a major driver of deforestation in Indonesia, as they are often established on land that has been cleared of forests. Pulpwood is used to make paper, and the global demand for paper has been increasing in recent years.
Other drivers of deforestation in Indonesia include mining, infrastructure development, and residential expansion.
The main drivers of deforestation in Indonesia have been the expansion of the oil palm and pulpwood industries. These industries are driven by the global demand for palm oil and paper, which has been increasing in recent years.
Deforestation in Indonesia has been a major contributor to global climate change, as the loss of forests increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Deforestation in Indonesia has also been linked to the loss of biodiversity, as well as to social and environmental problems, such as land conflicts and water shortages.
The Indonesian government has taken some steps to address the problem of deforestation, such as the introduction of moratoriums on forest clearing and the development of a national REDD+ strategy. However, more needs to be done to protect the country’s forests.
The main drivers of deforestation in Indonesia have been the expansion of the oil palm and pulpwood industries. These industries are driven by the global demand for palm oil and paper, which has been increasing in recent years. In order to protect the country’s forests, the Indonesian government needs to take more steps to address the problem of deforestation.
What is Indonesia doing to stop deforestation?
Deforestation is a global problem that requires global solutions. In Indonesia, the government and private sector are taking steps to address deforestation, which is important given that the country is the world’s third-largest tropical forest country.
The Indonesian government has enacted a number of policies to stop deforestation. One is the 2015 moratorium on new logging permits in primary forests and peatlands. This was followed by the government’s ratification of the 2016 Paris Agreement, which aims to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. In October 2017, the Indonesian government announced a US$1 billion program to restore degraded peatlands.
The private sector is also taking steps to address deforestation. For instance, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil has developed a certification scheme for sustainable palm oil production. This scheme includes requirements for no deforestation, no peat destruction, and no exploitation of endangered species.
Despite these efforts, deforestation continues in Indonesia. One reason is that the government and private sector have struggled to enforce their policies and certification schemes. Another reason is that the country’s economy is largely based on natural resources, which has led to widespread deforestation.
Indonesia faces a number of challenges in addressing deforestation. But with strong government policies and private sector engagement, the country can make significant progress in halting deforestation.
Is slash and burn illegal in Indonesia?
Is slash and burn illegal in Indonesia?
Yes, slash and burn is illegal in Indonesia. The practice is forbidden under Indonesian law and can result in prosecution.
Slash and burn is a method of agriculture whereby trees and other vegetation are cut down and burned in order to clear land for planting. The technique is used in many parts of the world, but it can be particularly damaging to the environment.
Indonesia has several laws in place to prohibit slash and burn farming. The most relevant is Presidential Regulation Number 26/2007, which states that burning land for the purpose of agriculture is illegal. The regulation also bans the use of fire in forestry operations, unless it is specifically approved by the government.
Penalties for violating these laws can be severe. violators can be fined up to 100 million rupiah (US$10,000) and imprisoned for up to five years.
Despite the risks, slash and burn farming is still common in Indonesia. Many farmers see it as the only way to clear land for planting, especially in areas where the soil is poor. Others may be unaware of the law or the risks involved.
Campaigns by the government and non-profit organisations are working to change this, but it will take time to see a significant decrease in the use of slash and burn. In the meantime, it is important for people to be aware of the dangers and consequences of this practice.