JAKARTA – The expansion of oil palm plantations has been accused to have disrupted global climate change. Is it based on the facts? The following description will answer the question.
The global climate change has threatened the global communities. Actually, it is caused by global warming (IPCC, 1991; Soemarwoto, 1992; IEA, 2014), so that it has nothing to do with the expansion of global oil palm plantations.
The rising portion of solar heat trapped in the earth’s atmosphere has caused the global climate change (picture-3) as indicated by the following signs:
- Increased evaporation;
- Increasing warming;
- Sea water temperature;
- Changed condition of plants and animals;
- Snow and ice melt.
The combination of the five changes has resulted in various signs of climate change, such as increase of rainfalls , typhoon, flooding, drought, fires, and climate anomalies. The signs have been experienced by all countries in the world.
It is clear, therefore, that the current global climate change is caused by global warming, and not because of the oil palm plantations.
Scapegoating the oil palm plantations as the cause of global climate change, apart from lying to the global community, it will also not solve the problem. (*)
References
- [IPCC] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2007. The Physical Science Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge (UK): Cambridge University Press. Available on: https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/ar4-wg1-frontmatter-1.pdf
- Soemarwoto O. 1992. Indonesia in the arena global environmental issues. Jakarta (ID): PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama. (*)
Source: Mitos & Fakta Kelapa Sawit –4th Edition | (Mitos 6-02)
