Crimes Against Earth Palm Oil = Deforestation = Greenhouse Gas Indonesia is home to the world’s third largest tropical forest, but not for long if we continue down this path. Though often illegal, the forests are cut down both for a booming pulp and paper industry as well as to clear land for palm oil plantations, which supply diverse industries from biofuel to soap to cosmetics. Because of the deforestation, Indonesia is also the world’s third largest greenhouse gas contributor, behind only the U.S. and China; after the forest is cut down, the carbon normally sequestered in the peatland soil is no longer shielded from being released into the atmosphere. It’s a long way to the top, but Indonesia is on the fast track—to the wrong “top” of the pile.