from ABC/Radio Australia
Scientists say Indonesia has now overtaken Brazil in clearing tropical rainforests, putting wildlife and habitat at risk.
Satellite images have found that Indonesia has surpassed Brazil in clearing tropical forests, and losses are accelerating, scientists say.
That’s despite a 2011 moratorium meant to protect wildlife and combat climate change.
Between 2000 and 2010, Indonesia’s loss of virgin forests totalled 60,000 square kilometres, an area almost the size of Ireland, partly to make way for palm oil plantations and other farms, researchers say.
In 2012 alone, deforestation in Indonesia was estimated at 8,400 square kilometres, compared with 4,600 square kilometres in Brazil.
This excerpt from a news article is courtesy of ABC/Radio Australia and can be read in its entirety here.
