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Unfortunately, our green efforts to help satiate our demands for energy do not always lead us down the best of roads. Let’s not forget for one moment that swelling beneath environmental concern is the growing excitement over how much money can be made from this burgeoning industry. Countries that previously could only watch those with fossil fuel resources grow rich and powerful now have their own cards to play in this new game. Unfortunately, the environment and all within it are once again paying the price of such “progress”.

Take for instance the situation in Borneo. In 2004, a master plan was revealed that would create 40,000 square miles of palm oil plantations; a move that came in large part because of Borneo’s declaration that it wished to become the largest supplier. Palm oil is in high demand because of its role in biodiesel — something which is only guaranteed to increase in demand as more and more countries require biodiesel “mixes” with traditional diesel fuel. Almost 70% of these plantations will replace existing forests — something that is detrimental to all creatures that rely upon it; including our most intelligent human cousin, the Orang-utans. From the article,

“As jungles are rapidly replaced by palm oil plantations, the great apes starve and are hunted, mutilated, burnt and snared by workers protecting their crops.At a rehabilitation centre run by the charity Borneo Orang-utan Survival, there are more than 600, mostly orphaned babies. Lone Nielsen, the centre’s director, estimates that for each of the 227 animals they rescued last year, five more were killed in central Borneo alone.”

Of course, with the world “desperate” for green biofuels — and big money at stake — environmental or animal concerns barely register with the government or companies involved. What’s needed perhaps sooner than later is an international watchdog committee that scales biofuel from other countries on their impact and environmental stewardship. We might feel all “earth-friendly” inside when we fill up our car with biodiesel; but the real truth behind the fuel might make its story no less different than oil. As we transition into a world with more green options, it’s important to scrutinize these new alternatives just as closely as we have with previous sources. Green isn’t always innocent.

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