Supermarkets brim with grapeseed, avocado, and toasted sesame oils and ghee. Here’s advice about which ones to choose.

Choose better: Healthier alternatives to soyabean and palm oils

Researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RGB), Kew and their partners have found what is described as the only known member of the palm family which flowers and fruits almost entirely underground. The findings of the study were published in the journal PALMS&nbsp;on Monday. Given the plant’s unique characteristics, researchers have named the new-to-science species Pinanga subterranea, which means ‘underground’ in Latin.

<h2>Where was the plant found?</h2>

The plant and its fruit are native to the tropical island of Borneo in Southeast Asia where it is well-known to locals, some of whom even consume the bright-red fruit which is said to be sweet and juicy.&nbsp;

However, P.subterranea was overlooked by scientists for years now, who have found some 300 different species of palm on the island. The plant is known in at least three Bornean languages under the names, Pinang Tanah, Pinang Pipit, Muring Pelandok, and Tudong Pelandok, by the locals.&nbsp;

The international team of researchers said that the plant can be found across the primary rainforests of western Borneo and scattered across the borders from Malaysia’s Sarawak to Indonesia’s Kalimantan.&nbsp;

<h2>Need for collaboration</h2>

According to researchers, the plant was hiding in plain sight and has been overlooked by the scientific community for years now.&nbsp;

“Without the tip-off from our Malaysian colleague Dr Paul Chai, we probably would have mistaken this exciting new species for an unremarkable palm seedling and would have walked right past it,” said Dr Benedikt Kuhnhäuser a future leader fellow at RGB, Kew, who was also a part of the research team.&nbsp;

He added, “Instead, we have scientifically described an incredibly rare case of geoflory&nbsp;that is underground flowering, and the very first known example of its kind in the entire palm family. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.” 
&nbsp;

<h2>What makes the plant so unique?</h2>

While a majority of flowering plants have evolved to develop their flowers and fruit above ground since it helps with pollination and the dispersal of seeds, there is a small subset of plants that have evolved to carry out this process underground.&nbsp;

Therefore, P.subterranea not only joins the more than 2,500 species of palm (that the scientists know about so far) but also at least 171 species across 89 genera and 33 plant families, which are known to flower and fruit underground through the process of geoflory and geocarpy, respectively.&nbsp;

However, P. subterranea is a case of a dual instance of geocarpy and geoflory, which has been all the more baffling for the researchers since the Pinanga genus is typically pollinated by insects and cannot move around as easily below ground as above.&nbsp;

The international team of scientists found a high number of seeds and fruit set by the plant which indicates that there has been a successful pollination mechanism&nbsp;which remains unknown to the researchers.&nbsp;

“I have been studying palms for 30 years and am amazed at how they continue to surprise us,” said Dr William Baker, senior research leader at Tree of Life at RBG Kew.

He added, “This unexpected find poses many more questions than it answers. What is pollinating the palm? How does the pollinator find the flowers underground? How did this phenomenon evolve and what on Earth will palms surprise us with next?”

<h2>Not the first discovery</h2>

It is also worth noting that while the recent team of international scientists collected specimens and ascertained that the species was new to science, Agusti Randi, an Indonesian researcher from the National University of Singapore and lead author of the study conducted had also encountered a couple of specimens of the palm back in 2017.&nbsp;

According to Randi’s study, at least one of the samples collected appeared to have been dug up by wild pigs while others were most likely eaten or crushed by the animals.&nbsp;

“The first time I encountered this dwarf palm in 2017 in a forest in West Kalimantan, a group of wild boars were digging in the soil around a population of P. subterranea, and I found several ripe fruit&nbsp;with a striking, bright red colour lying on the ground,” said the lead author about the findings.

He also spoke about how he noticed that the stems of the palm were dug up by the wild boars to find the fruit which was underground. “Their faeces were also strewn around in puddles with the seeds contained in them,” said Randi.&nbsp; 
 
 
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Researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RGB), Kew and their partners have found what is described as the only known member of the palm family which flowers and fruits almost entirely underground.

Researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RGB), Kew and their partners have found what is described as the only known member of the palm family which flowers and fruits almost entirely underground. The findings of the study were published in the journal PALMS on Monday. Given the plant’s unique characteristics, researchers have named the new-to-science species Pinanga subterranea, which means ‘underground’ in Latin. Where was the plant found? The plant and its fruit are native to the tropical island of Borneo in Southeast Asia where it is well-known to locals, some of whom even consume the bright-red fruit which is said to be sweet and juicy. However, P.subterranea was overlooked by scientists for years now, who have found some 300 different species of palm on the island. The plant is known in at least three Bornean languages under the names, Pinang Tanah, Pinang Pipit, Muring Pelandok, and Tudong Pelandok, by the locals. The international team of researchers said that the plant can be found across the primary rainforests of western Borneo and scattered across the borders from Malaysia’s Sarawak to Indonesia’s Kalimantan. Need for collaboration According to researchers, the plant was hiding in plain sight and has been overlooked by the scientific community for years now. “Without the tip-off from our Malaysian colleague Dr Paul Chai, we probably would have mistaken this exciting new species for an unremarkable palm seedling and would have walked right past it,” said Dr Benedikt Kuhnhäuser a future leader fellow at RGB, Kew, who was also a part of the research team. He added, “Instead, we have scientifically described an incredibly rare case of geoflory that is underground flowering, and the very first known example of its kind in the entire palm family. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.” What makes the plant so unique? While a majority of flowering plants have evolved to develop their flowers and fruit above ground since it helps with pollination and the dispersal of seeds, there is a small subset of plants that have evolved to carry out this process underground. Therefore, P.subterranea not only joins the more than 2,500 species of palm (that the scientists know about so far) but also at least 171 species across 89 genera and 33 plant families, which are known to flower and fruit underground through the process of geoflory and geocarpy, respectively. However, P. subterranea is a case of a dual instance of geocarpy and geoflory, which has been all the more baffling for the researchers since the Pinanga genus is typically pollinated by insects and cannot move around as easily below ground as above. The international team of scientists found a high number of seeds and fruit set by the plant which indicates that there has been a successful pollination mechanism which remains unknown to the researchers. “I have been studying palms for 30 years and am amazed at how they continue to surprise us,” said Dr William Baker, senior research leader at Tree of Life at RBG Kew. He added, “This unexpected find poses many more questions than it answers. What is pollinating the palm? How does the pollinator find the flowers underground? How did this phenomenon evolve and what on Earth will palms surprise us with next?” Not the first discovery It is also worth noting that while the recent team of international scientists collected specimens and ascertained that the species was new to science, Agusti Randi, an Indonesian researcher from the National University of Singapore and lead author of the study conducted had also encountered a couple of specimens of the palm back in 2017. According to Randi’s study, at least one of the samples collected appeared to have been dug up by wild pigs while others were most likely eaten or crushed by the animals. “The first time I encountered this dwarf palm in 2017 in a forest in West Kalimantan, a group of wild boars were digging in the soil around a population of P. subterranea, and I found several ripe fruit with a striking, bright red colour lying on the ground,” said the lead author about the findings. He also spoke about how he noticed that the stems of the palm were dug up by the wild boars to find the fruit which was underground. “Their faeces were also strewn around in puddles with the seeds contained in them,” said Randi. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Once-in-a-lifetime discovery’: Scientists find rare palm that flowers and bears fruits underground

US cafe Chain Panera has announced that it will soon allow customers to use cashier -less checkout technology that'll let them scan their palms to make payments. Panera unveiled the Amazon One devices last week. The devices have been made by e-commerce and cloud-computing giant Amazon. As per reports, the system is already in use airports, stadiums and grocery stores. Panera has already deployed the system at two locations in greater St Louis in the US. The chain has outlets at more than 2000 locations across US.&nbsp;

Last week Reuters quoted Amazon Vice President Dilip Kumar who said that the company had deployed the contactless technology with existing customers.&nbsp; 
Amazon reportedly declined to provide growth figures, but in June 2022 the company said more than 69 locations in the U.S. and UK had such technology.

As per The Guardian, customers who would scan their palms at Panera will get recommendations and combinations based on their previous orders. They will also be able to access their credit card and other information associated with their palm scan.

But in times when personal data is widely collected, Amazon's move to go ahead with inclusion of palm-scanning tech has attracted criticism.

In 2021, Denver Arts &amp; Venues dropped its plans of introducing palm-scanning tech for entry at concerts after criticism from digital rights group Fight for the Future.

“The marginal-at-best convenience of scanning a hand instead of a ticket is no excuse for implementing technology that will exacerbate violent systems and cause immeasurable harm,” the group said.

Panera hasn't specified when exactly the palm scanning tech would be deployed.

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US cafe Chain Panera has announced that it will soon allow customers to use cashier -less checkout technology that'll let them scan their palms to make payments.

US cafe Chain Panera has announced that it will soon allow customers to use cashier -less checkout technology that'll let them scan their palms to make payments. Panera unveiled the Amazon One devices last week. The devices have been made by e-commerce and cloud-computing giant Amazon. As per reports, the system is already in use airports, stadiums and grocery stores. Panera has already deployed the system at two locations in greater St Louis in the US. The chain has outlets at more than 2000 locations across US. Last week Reuters quoted Amazon Vice President Dilip Kumar who said that the company had deployed the contactless technology with existing customers. Amazon reportedly declined to provide growth figures, but in June 2022 the company said more than 69 locations in the U.S. and UK had such technology. As per The Guardian, customers who would scan their palms at Panera will get recommendations and combinations based on their previous orders. They will also be able to access their credit card and other information associated with their palm scan. But in times when personal data is widely collected, Amazon's move to go ahead with inclusion of palm-scanning tech has attracted criticism. In 2021, Denver Arts & Venues dropped its plans of introducing palm-scanning tech for entry at concerts after criticism from digital rights group Fight for the Future. “The marginal-at-best convenience of scanning a hand instead of a ticket is no excuse for implementing technology that will exacerbate violent systems and cause immeasurable harm,” the group said. Panera hasn't specified when exactly the palm scanning tech would be deployed. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US cafe chain Panera will soon let customers swipe palms to make payment

Standing beside the piles of dark red palm fruits ready for crushing for their essence, Nigerian farmer Micah Ojo hopes to cash in on the government's drive to revive the country's once thriving palm oil business.

His farm is one of the small plantations scattered across southern Nigeria where the government is investing heavily in the industry as part of its drive to diversify away from petroleum and help create jobs.

Once a major producer, Nigeria now imports from Indonesia and Malaysia, further straining foreign exchange reserves already battered by a fall in global crude oil prices and the pandemic.

But the story appears to be changing as Nigeria's government, through the central bank (CBN), is pumping billions of naira in loans to assist farmers and investors in the industry.

Several states, including southern Edo and Akwa Ibom, where roads are lined by hectares of dark green palm trees and moribund factories, are injecting new life into the sector.

"We need assistance. The business is capital-intensive," Ojo said at his farm in Edo. "We need government to come to our aid to assist us."

Across the globe, the palm oil industry has faced heavy criticism for deforestation, loss of community land and claims of worker abuses on Southeast Asian plantations. &nbsp;

But the oil, which is used in cooking, foods and cosmetics products, is a major industry in Indonesia and Malaysia, and Africa has also seen growth in recent years.&nbsp;

Supporters say it helps create local jobs and development.

With an agriculture credit scheme and other programmes, Nigeria is supporting operators to buy quality and up-to-date seedlings and set up new plantations and mills.

At Okomu Oil Palm Company in Edo state, there are three palm and rubber plantations sitting on over 33,000 hectares of land, partly funded by a 14-billion-naira ($34-million) loan.

"It has assisted us greatly to expand our footprints in the sector," said managing director Graham Hefer, a South African executive who has run the company since 2007.

But as with other industries, logistical and infrastructure problems in Africa's most populous nation are hindering growth which would allow the industry's output to meet local demand.

"The level-playing-field, which people talk about, is not level in Nigeria," Hefer said, pointing to problems such as a lack of roads, electricity, multiple taxation and congestion at ports.

"We are seriously lobbying government to look into these concerns."

Nigeria, the world fifth largest palm oil producer, consumes around two million tonnes of palm oil per year, half of which is imported, with local output at 800,000 to one million tonnes.

Hefer said the big players like Okomu account for just 30 percent of local production, while small growers represent 70 percent.

Established in 1976, Okomu has three oil mills, producing 40,000 tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) per year.

One mill is in operation, while the second is due for commissioning this month and the third expected to come on stream next year.

The company expects to double production to 80,000 tonnes per year by 2025.

Small players struggle&nbsp; 
In neighbouring Akwa Ibom State, local authorities said they are using a CBN loan to revamp more than 3,000 hectares of oil palm plantation abandoned over 30 years ago.

The plantation has 200,000 oil palm trees and a 300,000-capacity nursery for seedlings.

But unlike Okomu and other big players, small farmers say they struggle to get financial help, as they are mostly left outside of the central bank loan schemes and are unable to tap other funds.

Ojo, the local farmer, told AFP lack of investment was hurting his business, which is just a few kilometres from the sprawling Okomu plant.

After starting with only five workers, he now has 30 employees, but needs investment to expand on his 150 hectares of farmland.

He said CBN loan money "does not get to local farmers", adding that "we only hear it in the news".

The Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria, an industry lobbying group, has appealed to government and lenders to assist smaller operators with concessionary loans.

To develop one hectare of oil palm requires $4,000 to $5,000 and the gestation period is a minimum of three years, according to the association.

"Banks willing to lend are only ready to do so to very large established institutions with already strong revenue streams," one forum representative said.

"These companies are, for the most part, multinationals. The small growers that the fund is meant to target hardly have access."

Local producers want the state-run Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research to step in and help farmers with improved seedlings, pest and disease control and proper supervision.

"Given the right incentives, our local farmers will perform," said Sola Oni, an analyst with Sofunix Investment. "Government should create the right environment for them to thrive."

Standing beside the piles of dark red palm fruits ready for crushing for their essence, Nigerian farmer Micah Ojo hopes to cash in on the government's drive to revive the country's once thriving palm oil business.

Standing beside the piles of dark red palm fruits ready for crushing for their essence, Nigerian farmer Micah Ojo hopes to cash in on the government's drive to revive the country's once thriving palm oil business. His farm is one of the small plantations scattered across southern Nigeria where the government is investing heavily in the industry as part of its drive to diversify away from petroleum and help create jobs. Once a major producer, Nigeria now imports from Indonesia and Malaysia, further straining foreign exchange reserves already battered by a fall in global crude oil prices and the pandemic. But the story appears to be changing as Nigeria's government, through the central bank (CBN), is pumping billions of naira in loans to assist farmers and investors in the industry. Several states, including southern Edo and Akwa Ibom, where roads are lined by hectares of dark green palm trees and moribund factories, are injecting new life into the sector. "We need assistance. The business is capital-intensive," Ojo said at his farm in Edo. "We need government to come to our aid to assist us." Across the globe, the palm oil industry has faced heavy criticism for deforestation, loss of community land and claims of worker abuses on Southeast Asian plantations. But the oil, which is used in cooking, foods and cosmetics products, is a major industry in Indonesia and Malaysia, and Africa has also seen growth in recent years. Supporters say it helps create local jobs and development. With an agriculture credit scheme and other programmes, Nigeria is supporting operators to buy quality and up-to-date seedlings and set up new plantations and mills. At Okomu Oil Palm Company in Edo state, there are three palm and rubber plantations sitting on over 33,000 hectares of land, partly funded by a 14-billion-naira ($34-million) loan. "It has assisted us greatly to expand our footprints in the sector," said managing director Graham Hefer, a South African executive who has run the company since 2007. But as with other industries, logistical and infrastructure problems in Africa's most populous nation are hindering growth which would allow the industry's output to meet local demand. "The level-playing-field, which people talk about, is not level in Nigeria," Hefer said, pointing to problems such as a lack of roads, electricity, multiple taxation and congestion at ports. "We are seriously lobbying government to look into these concerns." Nigeria, the world fifth largest palm oil producer, consumes around two million tonnes of palm oil per year, half of which is imported, with local output at 800,000 to one million tonnes. Hefer said the big players like Okomu account for just 30 percent of local production, while small growers represent 70 percent. Established in 1976, Okomu has three oil mills, producing 40,000 tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) per year. One mill is in operation, while the second is due for commissioning this month and the third expected to come on stream next year. The company expects to double production to 80,000 tonnes per year by 2025. Small players struggle In neighbouring Akwa Ibom State, local authorities said they are using a CBN loan to revamp more than 3,000 hectares of oil palm plantation abandoned over 30 years ago. The plantation has 200,000 oil palm trees and a 300,000-capacity nursery for seedlings. But unlike Okomu and other big players, small farmers say they struggle to get financial help, as they are mostly left outside of the central bank loan schemes and are unable to tap other funds. Ojo, the local farmer, told AFP lack of investment was hurting his business, which is just a few kilometres from the sprawling Okomu plant. After starting with only five workers, he now has 30 employees, but needs investment to expand on his 150 hectares of farmland. He said CBN loan money "does not get to local farmers", adding that "we only hear it in the news". The Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria, an industry lobbying group, has appealed to government and lenders to assist smaller operators with concessionary loans. To develop one hectare of oil palm requires $4,000 to $5,000 and the gestation period is a minimum of three years, according to the association. "Banks willing to lend are only ready to do so to very large established institutions with already strong revenue streams," one forum representative said. "These companies are, for the most part, multinationals. The small growers that the fund is meant to target hardly have access." Local producers want the state-run Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research to step in and help farmers with improved seedlings, pest and disease control and proper supervision. "Given the right incentives, our local farmers will perform," said Sola Oni, an analyst with Sofunix Investment. "Government should create the right environment for them to thrive."

Nigeria looks to revive ailing palm oil sector

In end of December 2018, Malaysia's inventory recorded a near two-decade high of 2.3 million tonnes, data from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-tax-hike-to-slash-palm-oil-imports-boost-soyoil-sunflower-oil-buying-34770">Malaysian Palm Oil</a> Board (MPOB) showed.

The industry regulator expects the introduction of the B20 biodiesel programme in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/malaysia-offers-to-buy-more-imports-from-india-after-threat-of-palm-oil-curbs-256078">country</a> to increase local consumption to 25% versus the current 18%.

"We will be&nbsp;very happy if the stocks can reduce further to between 1.5 million tonnes to 2.0 million tonnes especially with the implementation of the B20 programme to kick in next year," Ahmad&nbsp;Parveez&nbsp;Ghulam Kadir, MPOB director-general told Bernama.

"It is my wish to see the crude palm oil price trading at RM3,000 per tonne."

Malaysia, the world's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palm-oil-to-blame-for-39-per-cent-of-forest-loss-in-borneo-since-2000-study-250629">second-largest producer</a> of palm oil, increased the proportion of palm oil used in biodiesel to 10% from 7% last December to increase domestic consumption.

It plans to roll out the 20% biodiesel programme in stages next year. Kadir said he expects 70% of oil palm plantation across the tropical Southeast Asian nation to be certified with the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification by February.

Currently, about 60.6% of total oil palm plantation are MSPO certified.

"With our full-fledged MSPO-certified palm oil, after three to four years down the road, Malaysian palm oil productivity will start catching up. But whatever production we produce, I hope stocks are&nbsp;always manageable and&nbsp;the crude palm oil price should not go below $603.78 per tonne," Kadir&nbsp;said.

The MSPO certification, which requires growers to meet certain standards on protecting the environment and workers' rights, is set to be mandatory from January 2020.

WATCH: Gravitas: Indian Traders Boycott Palm Oil From Malaysia

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In end of December 2018, Malaysia's inventory recorded a near two-decade high of 2.3 million tonnes, data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) showed. The industry regulator expects the introduction of the B20 biodiesel programme in the country to increase local consumption to 25% versus the current 18%.

In end of December 2018, Malaysia's inventory recorded a near two-decade high of 2.3 million tonnes, data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) showed. The industry regulator expects the introduction of the B20 biodiesel programme in the country to increase local consumption to 25% versus the current 18%. "We will be very happy if the stocks can reduce further to between 1.5 million tonnes to 2.0 million tonnes especially with the implementation of the B20 programme to kick in next year," Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, MPOB director-general told Bernama. "It is my wish to see the crude palm oil price trading at RM3,000 per tonne." Malaysia, the world's second-largest producer of palm oil, increased the proportion of palm oil used in biodiesel to 10% from 7% last December to increase domestic consumption. It plans to roll out the 20% biodiesel programme in stages next year. Kadir said he expects 70% of oil palm plantation across the tropical Southeast Asian nation to be certified with the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification by February. Currently, about 60.6% of total oil palm plantation are MSPO certified. "With our full-fledged MSPO-certified palm oil, after three to four years down the road, Malaysian palm oil productivity will start catching up. But whatever production we produce, I hope stocks are always manageable and the crude palm oil price should not go below $603.78 per tonne," Kadir said. The MSPO certification, which requires growers to meet certain standards on protecting the environment and workers' rights, is set to be mandatory from January 2020. WATCH: Gravitas: Indian Traders Boycott Palm Oil From Malaysia ×

Malaysia expects palm oil inventory to end year at 2.1 million tonnes: Report

Forest fires that blanketed Southeast Asia in thick haze last year released the greatest amount of climate-changing carbon since record blazes in 1997, producing emissions higher than in the whole of the European Union, scientists said on Tuesday. 
 
Singapore, Malaysia and northern Indonesia choked under a layer of toxic smog in September and October last year, caused by thousands of fires started in Indonesia to cheaply clear land for palm oil crops and for pulp and paper plantations. 
 
The fires and resulting haze, an annual occurrence, pushed up pollution levels, caused schools to close, flights to be disrupted and people to fall sick across the region. 
 
Last years blazes were the worst for years with El Nino, a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, causing tinder-dry conditions. 
 
The study by scientists from the Netherlands, Britain and Indonesia, published in the online journal Scientific Reports recently, was the first scientific report calculating greenhouse gas emissions from the fires using measurements on the ground combined with satellite observations. 
 
&quot;There have been some isolated studies before where people artificially set fires in the lab to try to understand the chemical characteristics of peatland fire smoke in Indonesia,&quot; said Martin Wooster, one of the scientists and a professor of earth observation science at Kings College London. 
 
&quot;But no one had done this on natural fires, and especially not on the kind of extreme fires seen in 2015,&quot; he added. 
 
The researchers first measured the ground-level smoke composition from peatland burning in the region, including in Indonesias Central Kalimantan province, one of the worst-hit areas. 
 
They combined the data with satellite information to work out greenhouse gas emission estimates from the fires. They concluded that 884 million tonnes of carbon dioxide was emitted in the region last year, with 97 per cent originating from forest fires in Indonesia. 
 
The results showed that regional carbon dioxide emissions from the fires were 11.3 million tonnes per day in September and October 2015, more than the 28-nation EUs daily emissions of 8.9 million tonnes during the same period. 
 
The researchers also said the emissions were worse than during the 1997 fires, considered the worst on record.&nbsp;At that time, there was an even longer drought and widespread burning due to a stronger El Ni?o. 
 
The researchers said they hoped the findings would contribute to a better understanding on the need for fire prevention and improved ways of managing the land. 
 
&quot;What is important is the applicability of a study like this in helping policy makers to use more accurate fire emission factors to design policy and act to prevent further fires and greenhouse gas emissions,&quot; said scientist Daniel Murdiyarso from the Indonesia-based Center for International Forestry Research. 
 
The Indonesian fires have prompted criticism from green groups and other Southeast Asian nations, accusing Jakarta of not doing enough to crack down on the slash-and-burn forest clearing techniques. 
 
In a bid to tackle the issue, President Joko Widodo announced in April plans for a moratorium on new palm oil concessions and asked firms to raise yields on existing plantations instead of clearing forests. 
 
(Reuters)

Thousands of fires started to cheaply clear land for palm oil crops and for pulp and paper plantations disrupted flights and caused sickness

Forest fires that blanketed Southeast Asia in thick haze last year released the greatest amount of climate-changing carbon since record blazes in 1997, producing emissions higher than in the whole of the European Union, scientists said on Tuesday. Singapore, Malaysia and northern Indonesia choked under a layer of toxic smog in September and October last year, caused by thousands of fires started in Indonesia to cheaply clear land for palm oil crops and for pulp and paper plantations. The fires and resulting haze, an annual occurrence, pushed up pollution levels, caused schools to close, flights to be disrupted and people to fall sick across the region. Last years blazes were the worst for years with El Nino, a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, causing tinder-dry conditions. The study by scientists from the Netherlands, Britain and Indonesia, published in the online journal Scientific Reports recently, was the first scientific report calculating greenhouse gas emissions from the fires using measurements on the ground combined with satellite observations. "There have been some isolated studies before where people artificially set fires in the lab to try to understand the chemical characteristics of peatland fire smoke in Indonesia," said Martin Wooster, one of the scientists and a professor of earth observation science at Kings College London. "But no one had done this on natural fires, and especially not on the kind of extreme fires seen in 2015," he added. The researchers first measured the ground-level smoke composition from peatland burning in the region, including in Indonesias Central Kalimantan province, one of the worst-hit areas. They combined the data with satellite information to work out greenhouse gas emission estimates from the fires. They concluded that 884 million tonnes of carbon dioxide was emitted in the region last year, with 97 per cent originating from forest fires in Indonesia. The results showed that regional carbon dioxide emissions from the fires were 11.3 million tonnes per day in September and October 2015, more than the 28-nation EUs daily emissions of 8.9 million tonnes during the same period. The researchers also said the emissions were worse than during the 1997 fires, considered the worst on record. At that time, there was an even longer drought and widespread burning due to a stronger El Ni?o. The researchers said they hoped the findings would contribute to a better understanding on the need for fire prevention and improved ways of managing the land. "What is important is the applicability of a study like this in helping policy makers to use more accurate fire emission factors to design policy and act to prevent further fires and greenhouse gas emissions," said scientist Daniel Murdiyarso from the Indonesia-based Center for International Forestry Research. The Indonesian fires have prompted criticism from green groups and other Southeast Asian nations, accusing Jakarta of not doing enough to crack down on the slash-and-burn forest clearing techniques. In a bid to tackle the issue, President Joko Widodo announced in April plans for a moratorium on new palm oil concessions and asked firms to raise yields on existing plantations instead of clearing forests. (Reuters)

Land-clearing forest fires choking Southeast Asia in 2015 release record carbon

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