AP Exclusive: Pulp giant tied to companies accused of fires

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Stephen Wright, Associated Press
Updated 11:12 am, Wednesday, December 20, 2017

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Despite its denials, one of the world's biggest paper producers has extensive behind-the-scenes ties and significant influence over wood suppliers linked to fires and deforestation that have degraded Indonesia's stunning natural environment, The Associated Press has found.

Indonesia's Sinarmas — better known by its international trade name, Asia Pulp & Paper — has insisted in company publications, public events and to the media that most of the companies that supply it with wood are "independent," not owned by it or in other ways affiliated with it.

But the AP has found links between Sinarmas, its pulp and paper arm and nearly all the 27 plantation companies that it has told the outside world are independent. The company's apparent aim: to "greenwash" its image for the global market.

. . .

Indonesia is cutting down its rainforests faster than any other country, swelling the profits of a handful of paper and palm oil conglomerates while causing massive social and environmental problems. The rapid forest loss combined with its greenhouse gas emissions has made Indonesia the fourth biggest contributor to global warming after China, U.S. and India.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/AP-Exclusive-Pulp-giant-s-makeover-obscures-12442931.php

[BumRushDaShow]

1. "has made Indonesia the fourth biggest contributor to global warming after China, U.S. and India."

Wow. That's pretty significant given you have economies like Japan that have been around longer and would have the type of infrastructure to add some climate impact.

[not fooled]

2. Capitalism in all its glory

Exploit natural resources to the point of exhaustion or collapse.

Paraphrased from Chris Hedges.