Articles tagged with Palm Oil
Deliberate forest fires in Indonesia set by palm oil companies are causing severe smog that threatens public health. The fires result in a pollution index of over 400, making it life-threatening to vulnerable populations.
A single gene, called Shell, has been identified in the oil palm tree that controls its yield. The discovery allows breeders to boost palm oil yields by nearly one-third, providing a promising solution for agriculture and environmental concerns.
Scientists have mapped the genomes of two oil palm species and identified a critical gene for yield improvement. The discovery has implications for enhancing sustainable palm oil production while reducing pressure on wild rainforests, which account for nearly half of global edible vegetable oil.
A new study reveals that expanding palm oil production is driving massive carbon dioxide emissions and rainforest destruction in Indonesian Borneo. The sector's growth has cleared about 16,000 square kilometers of forestland since 1990, accounting for 60% of Kalimantan's total forest cover loss.
Researchers at Stanford and Yale universities found that oil palm plantation expansion in Indonesian Borneo is a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, projected to contribute over 558 million metric tons in 2020. The study highlights the urgent need for sustainable production methods to mitigate deforestation.
A 5-year study on Bornean orangutans reveals they store fat when abundant food is available and use it for energy during scarcity. This research may aid in understanding human obesity and eating disorders.
Oil palm expansion in the Brazilian Amazon is likely to occur at the expense of natural forest, according to William F. Laurance and Rhett A. Butler. The proposed revision to Brazil's forest code would allow up to 30% of reserved forests to consist of oil palm plantations.
A new study found that palm oil plantations supported few bird and butterfly species, despite efforts to increase biodiversity. Preserving natural forests was more effective in increasing species richness, but even this approach had a limited impact.
New estimates from Great Ape Trust reveal declining orangutan populations, with 75% living outside national parks. Conservation efforts must focus on island-specific action to address ecological threats.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison study examines the global potential for biodiesel production from vegetable oils and animal fats, ranking countries by their ability to manufacture biodiesel at low cost. The top-ranked developing nations include Malaysia, Thailand, Uruguay, Colombia, and Ghana, which are well-positioned due to stron...