Not all alternative energy is good and green, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia, where 87 percent of the world's palm oil is produced. The logging and conversion to palm oil plantations for "bio-fuel" energy has led to deforestation, a loss of biodiversity and cost the indigenous peoples who inhabited these lands — their homes and livelihoods.
Indonesia, the largest producer of the world's most widely used vegetable oil, landed a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008 for the highest rate of deforestation. And Malaysia, second only to Indonesia in palm oil production, has cleared land equivalent to the size of New Jersey, according to TIME.
The 130-million year-old Borneo rainforest is being stripped, threatening its rich ecology of species: 13 primates; 350 birds, 150 reptiles and amphibians; and 15,000 plants. Loss of these forests is not only a threat to species like the pygmy elephant and the orangutan, but also to the planet, because the forest cover absorbs the planet's excess carbon.
American photojournalist James Whitlow Delano began documenting the impact of bio-fuels and deforestation in Malaysia 17 years ago when he moved permanently to Asia. The Pulitzer Center grant winner took the above photos, which focus on the struggle of two indigenous Malaysian peoples — the Batek and the Penan. asiasociety
James Whitlow Delano has lived in Asia for 18 years. His work has been awarded internationally: the Alfred Eisenstadt Award (from Columbia University and Life Magazine), Leica’s Oskar Barnack, Picture of the Year International, PDN and others. Delano’s series on Kabul’s drug detox and psychiatric hospital was awarded 1st place in the 2008 NPPA Best of Photojournalism competition for Best Picture Story. His first monograph book, “Empire: Impressions from China” and work from “Japan Mangaland” have shown at several Leica Galleries in Europe. “Empire” was the first ever one-person show of photography at La Triennale di Milano Museum of Art. “The Mercy Project / Inochi” his charity photo book for hospice received the PX3 Gold Award and the Award of Excellence from Communication Arts. His work has appeared in magazines and photo festivals on five continents from Visa Pour L’Image, Rencontres D’Arles; to Noorderlicht. His new iPad book, Black Tsunami (FotoEvidence) documents the Japanese tsunami and nuclear crisis. readingthepictures
All images © James Whitlow Delano
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