Deforestation in Indonesia

The World

Paper Trees in Precious Ground

Plantation industries have taken root across much of Southeast Asia’s peatland forests, disturbing habitat with the highest carbon content in the world. The release of carbon from Indonesia’s vast and deep peatlands has made this developing country the world’s third largest greenhouse gas emitter. Some forest experts say slowing this release could be one avenue for quick action on global warming. But how and whom to pay to stop Indonesia’s carbon hemorrhaging in places like Riau province remains unclear.