Conspiracy of Jacques Yvez

Perhaps it has been a while since my little perfect life has settled down too quietly, not until somebody out there decided to take it out on the street again with all the yadi-yadi-yada. Let say, this time it is about my break up with Victoria, again. I'm indeed very interested to really know the truth about what has been happening or words that have been circling around though, as there have been too many stories created by hypocrites and clowns, which I have never bothered to listen so far. So today, I have decided to dig it out a little to actually know what is going on...and perhaps, it is to my surpise to know whom the hypo

I was surprise to find out that certain people (should I mention names?) actually made fun out of the break up, because obviously I was the one being dumped. But perhaps I was not being transparent enough that being dumped is a good thing at times, which only my very bestfriends know why and the very why it should happen. Firstly, I would like to invite my readers to take a good look in this matter because certainly I will not reveal certain truth (which only a few know about Jacques Yvez & The White Mask). Yes, certainly it seemed foolish indeed for a man like me who has been thrown over a bridge by a woman. But yet, I swam across the river to find another love has been waiting to grab my hand where she pulled me up and we walked away with wonderful smile.

You see, there is no trail being left behind for me to re-divert the course of this nature. Where, I set sail and approach harbors to seek new crews (most of you know what crews I described here) and yet there has always been the biggest fun of all. It didn't matter what has been said regarding my break up with Victoria as at certain stage it is I whom have not lose a single penny of lust, but yet it is those whom have fallen into a donation of a penny in lust. Yes, wise enough I am to clary myself as fair as judgment can be done. Nonetheless, a woman who is to feel uncomfortable shall approach in manner for appealing the truth well hidden within herself. She may have said awful or ridiculous words which fondle the ears of many, but indeed it is a hypocrisy I have never expected well.

"Yes yes yes...what a hypocrite you are indeed" say I.

Then of course, still, it doesn't matter what they have said for I have fulfilled my mission in accomplishment to my goals in the pit, what a strike! Those I celebrate shall be feasted upon my return of a journey, once again we shall share tales of common and never be told again. You and I both know how things work in the world of Le Masque Blanc.

Merci~!

by Jacques Yvez

A matter of choice

In times of my life, I came across situations where it is always about making the right decision. It can be anything, just about anything that we all live through in this world. So here is a little tale of mine I would like to share, something truly wonderful I realize recently…or perhaps, a choice I made long ago before I knew it was already in me.

I became a triathlete in 2006, took it seriously as a career because I wanted to pursue my dream. I love multi-sports when I was a kid, I felt the thrill when I saw it on television so I told myself on day I would be one these multi-sports athletes. Of course, my dream came true as I put effort and time into it. So it has been 3 years down the road now being a triathlete; train, eat, sleep, and train again…the same thing over and over again every single day. I never got bored of it seriously, I just love it, and it has already become part of me. Perhaps, I should even say it has already become a lifestyle. I train alone, depending on no one else but myself, just like any other triathletes and ironmans around the world. Even though I have a coach, but still I have always been left to be independent because this is what triathlon is all about; achieving it by your own self!

A month ago when I was in Brunei, I rejoined the hash group like I used to back in 2003. There I met my old friends, and it is always good to see them. A friend of mine, Jaap, who is also a triathlete by hobby has been very successful too. He has competed in numerous triathlons and half-ironman as well. Jaap is a great guy to be honest, at his age he is considered to be pretty fast. So after the hash run, we all sat down for dinner in a café. That is when Jaap gave me a question that I thought no one would ever ask me. So finally, that question came and I have always been ready to answer.

“Jack, do you realize being a triathlete or ironman made you a selfish person?” asked Jaap.

I was in silence for a moment where everyone was looking at me.

“True enough, I do realize I have been over the years.” say I.

Hence, the discussion began on how triathlon has evolved our lives and made us what we are today. Jaap made a very critical point by saying “just because we train by ourselves everyday and not relying on anyone else, we have become more independent as we have to or otherwise we will not survive during races”. That was as true enough as I couldn’t agree any further, as I felt it within myself. And the independence within us have somehow transform into a selfishness as well, it gives us the power to be confident, firm, strong, courageous, brave, self-believe, and trust ourselves.

Yes, being a triathlete is never easy as overcoming many obstacles is always handed singularly. We do not depend on others; swim, bike, run…these 3 very disciplines have shown us how we have to overcome the difficulties we would encounter individually. We are constantly pushing ourselves through our limits, there is never enough as there is always room for improvement. When we are out there racing, there is no one to help us to finish or win the race but our own selves. There is no one to drag us while we swim in the rough seas, there is no one to block the strong head wind for us while we cycle, and there is no one to carry umbrella for us while we run under the cruel heat. Yet, to survive and finish the race is done by us alone.

It’s an agonizing task that we endure, as we want to. Swim 1500m, bike 40km, and run 10km in triathlon. Then swim 3.8km, bike 180.2km, and run 42.2km in ironman. That is what we do, that is what we want, and that is what we have in our life.

So from then onwards, I started to realize how selfish and independent I have become consciously. The reality is I only care about myself nowadays; my trainings, my nutrition, my life, my goals, my plan, my schedule, and that I am have become my very own top priority. Sometimes it even feels there is nothing else to bother but myself. In fact, I do not work well with others too as I believe in myself more than I do to anyone else, I just don’t trust others as I much as I trust myself. Jaap also pointed out he was also like that in his younger days and never really work well with his colleagues because he felt he could handle it all by himself and trust his himself more than he trust others. We did admit that it is a bad attitude, and there is certainly a need to change. But yet, still…it was a choice we made before we even knew what we got ourselves into.

You see, the thing is what you do changes you as a person because when what you do becomes a routine then in times it will become a habit. So as I point I see in myself, at first it was tough to be in triathlon and training full-time wasn’t easy. But the human body is capable of adaptation biologically so it has become a lifestyle since then, where I no longer find difficulties living through triathlon.

Then of course, my family has always been complaining about my selfishness at home. Indeed I am selfish, as each time I got home from training I would be tired and not bother to do anything else, where as my family never really understand how tiring it is to be a triathlete. And the independence I have at home is another world apart from my family where I don’t even share the same dinner as they do, of course the reason would I have to look after my own nutrition.

People always tell me that they don’t really have any choices because they think what they have is all they have got left. But that’s not true, because the world is a bigger than one can ever imagine. Everyone has choices, it’s either given or found, and never it is a must to be taken. I made my decision clear that I wanted to be a triathlete, and I never regretted though I have to go through all the hardship till today. And even that means having a hard time with my family, I still endure and try my best to make them understand.

Everything comes in a package of good and bad, there is a balance in that because it is given by nature to face its challenges by you. The good would be the reward, and the bad would be the learning outcome. Hanging in the balance of both gives you nothing but emptiness, so it’s critical to know what you know you want best for your life and never regret it because you gotta know and understand it well. This is to reassure yourself by not putting the blame on others once you have failed. Success does not come without failures of course, only determination and not giving up rewards you what you want at the end of the day.

See it or believe it because the decision you make will justify whom you are. It is not an option, yet it is a choice and that gives you the power to your own life. Directions come differently in life too, as shown in all roads that many signboards lead to different places. It doesn’t force you to take one direction but it gives you optional choices to choose from, where in the end it is up to you to decide where you wanna go. Don’t blame others for your choices for it is your own, because nobody can take away for what you are within your soul.

As I am what I am today, there have been good and bad through its time. I may have lost certain things but I have never regretted for making the decision when I was only 13. Today, I am proud to be a triathlete I must say. For what I have achieved, I’m glad I did and I’ve discovered my capabilities. For what I have failed, I’m grateful that I have learned my lessons and pursue to be better again. There is always time for changes, and it takes is just effort to make it better. I know I’m selfish, and I know I can get rid of this behavior which has affected my love ones. I’m not changing for them nor for myself, but it is for a better day where life can be brought to greater happiness and appreciation. Till then, I may achieve another great ordeal in life to tell another tale. What says you? Live it, or…do it!

By Jacques Yvez

Just someone cheating?

We often hear people would say certain awful things during break ups, but most commonly known to many is the cheating. I wouldn’t define it as cheating clearly in this article, but to many people I have known would usually come forth to say he or she has been cheated.

Yes, firstly I would say cheating is disgraceful. Of course, it is always bad to cheat and tell lies in life. But then, how could you simply define cheating? Cheating as in? In what way would you simplify cheating rationally and logically? You see, the funny thing is communication is often complicated in relationships. As the fact is that certain matters would become sensitive in relationship and hence does not tolerate wider communicative barrier, it will all be restricted due to individual’s consideration, and perhaps manipulation to be considered too.

Now, in my passed experiences I was being called a liar in relationship because I was not telling or constantly updating my girlfriend about everything I do. Here is the catch, I was not telling because I didn’t think it was a need to as I was in no boot camp to report myself to any captain or colonel. Then of course, since I was already in a relationship then why not trust me. It was clear enough that my routine was already in brief and nearly where ever I went she knows where to find me, most likely there was a GPS tracking system beacon in me. You see, the reality is I wasn’t married or attached to her in full commitment. I’m still single till today, so that doesn’t mean when a person is in a relationship he or she must be in controlled in order to keep that trust in a strong bond. Of course, when I thought of this matter from my past I see it as a very immature relationship. At first I didn’t feel bother, but as the journey went on I felt it has become a burden and pressure instead. But I was really lucky that it is all over.

So my point is, not telling doesn’t mean cheating at all because everyone deserves to have their own privacy and secrets. Trust of course on the other hand is one of the most important features in relationship or as well as just about anything in human relation. Many people I came across would often define couple must always remain open sharing to each other unconditionally. But when I disagree with this in a way where I see every one of us, I would like mention this again, deserves a little privacy at least in our very own space. People deserve to be respected, treated nicely, and faithful. By respecting them, you give them stronger dignity. By treating them nicely, you get respect and kindness in return. By having faith in them, you will cherish more of your life together in happiness and joy.

Not all things work in just a way or one direction as we may think they do, but it all comes to the thinking and consideration that counts. Your boyfriend is out without telling you doesn’t he’s off to check on other girls. Your girlfriend is not talking to you tonight doesn’t mean she’s talking to some other guys. People need their own space and time to breathe and regenerate their own lives. Humans are no pet to anyone, though we are capable of killing our own species.

But still, we have emotions and bleed the same color of blood. Selfishness is always the major issue in all relationship, as they recreate the barrier to exile their own world to the real world. Your boyfriend or girlfriend may be the one you love, but loving is not about imprisonment somebody just because you think he or she belongs to you. Look, nobody belongs to anybody because it is priceless. He or she is with you is because of what love has brought both of you together, and not because you spent a 100 dollars on him or her and becomes yours forever. So let it free, everybody deserves freedom of their own right to do what they wish to. He wants to get a drink in the bar, let him be because he will be happy. She wants to hang out with her girls, let her be because she will feel more like a girl…trust, girls do feel the changes in them when they are too stuck with a guy for too long and that’s why they would become more aggressive and daring in arguments or conversations. You must allow that freedom in your life, as it is the essential key for yourself to see the world in a bigger picture too.

Even though you may wanna be the controller of everything, but it would be even worse for yourself rather than the person you control. Here is why; you become obsess, you become limited through your own personality, you become a narcissist, your ego grows even stronger, all the negativity starts to eat you alive, and sooner or later your life will be seen as nightmares by others. Or in other words, I should say you will most likely to be seen as a psychopath! Why does this happen? This is because it is your own choice that you made to develop that control or monitor. It is unhealthy for relationships to go that way, as many have ended in really awful manner.

So why not be more positive? Not telling is not a bad thing after all, it would be least of a worry sometimes. Even if you think you wanna share something, find the right time because you would wanna consider his or her life too. Cheating doesn’t come that cheap anyway, it is not something that everybody can do it takes large amount of effort too. Then of course, trust comes along in confidence too. People may feel insecure sometimes because they feel insecure about themselves and that is why they would start feeling insecure about the others, again that’s an egoistic thinking or mindset. So that is why it is important to have freedom to regain your own inspiration, motivation and concentration in your life. There is nothing guilty in opening yourself up to the world and breathe in fresh air. Don’t be scared by the fact that the world would be mean and harmful to you, because if you don’t try you will never know what’s good or bad.

So take some time and reconsider what is in your situation, take a break or a walk to feel what surrounds you. See the wonders in colours for they would colour your life too. Feel the rhythm of happiness for they bounce up and down in many ways. See yourself in 5 years time and save the answers to yourself, then recap of your current life and compare them. Perhaps you might even find what you need to restructure your current relationship to a better step. Trust your love one, he or she is with you for that very reason is the heart that matters. Don’t buy words too much as actions speak louder; give it a time and space, because at the end of the very you will discover more to words than what you think may be cheating…be smart ey!

by Jacques Yvez

Answer of Lies

Recently, there have been many speculations and observations regarding matters of how everyone's life is getting affected from the economy crisis. Yet, beyond that there is always other stories to be told rather than just about devastation of financial matters and businesses, and so on.

I don't see how my life is getting affected by the world's ferocious problematic issues. Pretty still the same as I, triathlon and studies, and of course the very thing of the unknown lies the story of Love. I am most delighted for what I have achieved in my studies, I did my internship in Halliburton with a promising career in future, which nothing much to concern but yet to pursue further wise and firm decision indeed. Triathlon, the very sporting lifestyle I live through and defines my eternal life. For as long as I breathe I will never stop in a inch of this path I've taken.

For the past few weeks, I have been hidden and exiled in silence in order to restructure certain things that I have been going through. It could be anything from top to bottom that I see. Yes, for so long as I do know it was I that defines myself as a person. Live as a person I have, and looking back into the past I have somehow realised the changes and patterns of revolution in my life, interesting indeed. I wouldn't be too detail regarding this, as a concern of too long in the writing, so I'm just gonna move directly into one part which may seem interesting to me and you.

Here is another story to be told in the life of modesty, in the presence of a fairy tale once upon a time. Yes, I have been single for over a year and a half since the last break up with Syaza...then of course, some of you may know what happen after that too, no details follow. So came last year, 2008, a blessed year of joy and adventures! It was before Christmas that I met Victoire de l'amour, indeed truly it was wonderful to have met such a profound beauty. Neither I nor the girls could deny my description was beyond the imaginable. Of course, she was listed number in the list as many of you know. For I have to say she's indeed a great person I have came across once again, genuine interaction between the world of lust and freedom love have once more been torn apart. That somehow took away a soul that have dwelled well within me. I never regretted indeed for it is a decision made wisely for I have seem voyages in many sights of love.

Yes, Victoire and Yvez were happy. Most of you knew how wonderful it was, and then...it came the drama behind the scenes. Always remember, there will always be a balance of good and bad precisely as it would adjourned its destiny as it is directed to be. Of course, the problem was basically Victoire wasn't allow to see Yvez by the cold-hearted mother as to her Yvez is just another bad person. Yes, mentioned I have as many of you know how narcissist she was being a mother, the world has no longer been a better place than herself. Of course, the bond of love was strong enough to keep both's together. Right, there was nothing falsely to be accused of because we were doing righteousness and purely dating a positive manner's date! Furthermore, that was just one part that neither it bothered Yvez nor Victoire at heart...yet, it did bother her personally at heart.

So again, I would like to clarify this statement clearly that "In the consent of mankind's philosophy, Jacques Yvez is a man who would only date women younger than him and shall always at hands be pure and faithful to the life he has." and respect that for I do not seem to have caused trouble in you nor him nor her nor them. Not too long ago, after being apart for over month, the relationship finally ended with doubtful manners. You see, I dislike answers or matters that are being left in between a matter of right or wrong. Of course in my decision I would cut the line if I have to logically and rationally after precisely calculative measures. No doubt, Victoire was going through certain hardship to my knowledge and whatever is beyond that I have not see remain unknown, and best kept apart from me to as I do not wish to be confused again. Thus, on a night of silence...the relationship was being ended by a simply phone call made by myself courageously. It was clear that very night Victoire declared the relationship to be ended; firstly mentioned by her aunt that she no longer feels affection, and lastly she is stressed up by her studies. Of course, I took that well as being expected too. So as a legitimate gentleman, I respected her decision as it was wise enough for me to be set free once more, and also to her goodwill in considerations for what would be the best for both's. So again, clearly I was no longer listed in relationship which means I am always single as I would say. No hard feelings nor devastation, a little disappointment in some perspective and yet I took it well enough as a form of lesson. Then yet, our friendship still remains in good faith.

Hence, well enough I have been...then came a few days ago when hes aunt asked of what have I told to people who questioned regarding my relationship. Of course, for I shall not lie to my friends and not to my closest friends who value me more than diamond I have answered them honestly "I got dumped!" which seemed fair enough to put an answer to a question. But I was a little surprised when her aunt says "You shouldn't tell people that because you guys are only taking time off from the relationship" and I was speechless for a moment. I was thinking to myself, was me or Victoire that was not being clear and comprehensively of our situation back that night. Fair enough, the reality is the relationship ended in the initiation of Victoire's decision. So clear enough to me or everyone else that explain logically when 2 people are no longer in relationships, whether time of or space needed or time, it will always be considered a break up...because both are walking its way and apart. Even though if Victoire does wish to resume the relationship, it wouldn't be a problem too for I am not waiting neither herself and yet good faith will always come together.

For that I speak for myself that I am truly being honest to my life, and you my dearest readers. Yet, there are those scavengers who seek gossips and affairs negatively to jeopardize and ruin the life of others will always be ignored...you come in ways of harm, and yet I will come in ways of destruction to your's. Yes, for now I am freely as I am to be for that is my decision in life.

I see different alternatives and solutions to many matters and it is always the very wise decision that takes a good effort for a good or bad outcome. And perhaps, dating isn't a big sin after all when a life similar to mine in no controls shall always have the choice to be chose. Evangeline is avail in times afar, Jewell is seen after ages and rediscover her soul is eventually an ongoing hunt, Stephania has grown wiser to a beauty of lust, while Christine lives with laughter and joy for I could not deny her humor, Phoebe the innocent one meant no harm but goodwill, and Lynette meant certain manners of betrayal and lust. Still more to come for its countless measures are not to been seen and yet to be lived with. So long for I am here, there will tales of all that might be just what you have seek in the awakenings of a new day.

by Jacques Yvez

Greenpeace and World Rainforest Movement Misguided?

Greenpeace and World Rainforest Movement Misguided?

Written by Ross Spencer

The International Carbon Action Partnership was formed by senior officials from the EU, 3 US States, Canada, Norway and New Zealand in Lisbon to fight climate change by building a global carbon market.

This brave and innovative scheme aims to add momentum towards low carbon economies by grouping countries and regions that cap and trade environmentally damaging CO2 emissions. The IACP intends to push for a worldwide marketplace that will allow cross-border trading in permits that are bought and sold like commodities.

Under the scheme, local authorities place an annual ceiling on CO2 emissions and issue “pollution permits” to companies, which can then buy and sell them.

British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, who signed his country to the IACP said that the NGO is a “significant step forward” for the creation of a global carbon trading system that will be “fundamental in arresting and reversing climate change.”

In publishing data on CO2 Emissions per capita however, some interesting facts have emerged. Asia posted the second lowest emissions per capita of only 1.3 just above Africa (0.9) and below Latin America (2.1). Surprisingly, China which has often been touted as the second worst polluter after the USA, posted a low reading of 3.9 vis a vis Canada (17.0), Australia (18.4) whilst the USA posted a staggering reading of 19.6.

This calls the lie on the many claims made by such diverse organizations such as Greenpeace and the World Rainforest Movement who’ve made the rather tenuous claim that palm oil is responsible for the destruction of rainforest which makes it a major contributor to climate change! Deforestation Watch is perturbed by this development as any wild and unsubstantiated position papers such as these can only damage our cause in the long run as it will ultimately destroy the credibility of our movement!

Let’s take a look at the two offending Position Papers. Greenpeace Netherlands in a paper entitled “The Dutch Economic Contribution to Worldwide Deforestation and Forest Degradation” puts forth the rather convoluted argument that “in the period 1996 – 2000 Dutch economic activities contributed annually to about 14,000 ha of deforestation in Indonesia, compared to an annual contribution of about 12,000 ha in the period 2001 – 2005. The decline took place in spite of increasing palm oil and pulp imports from Indonesia, but because the increase of palm oil and pulp plantations has been less in this second period.” Jumping through verbal hoops, the paper then sought to show that in Malaysia “there are indications that deforestation has been strongest in the period of 1996- 2000 when the initial palm oil boom took place.” What the Paper fails to highlight is that deforestation has moderated in Malaysia somewhat in the last five years (from 2001-2005) despite the palm oil boom continuing unabated in that country!

The World Rainforest Movement in a recent paper curiously entitled “Oil Palm: From Cosmetics to Biodiesel – Colonization Lives On” seeks to paint a picture of indiscriminate clearing of forest land in Indonesia. Says the paper: “In Indonesia, nearly seven million hectares of forest had been approved for conversion to estate crop plantations by the end of 1997, and this land has almost certainly been cleared. But the area actually converted to oil palm plantations since 1985 is about 2.6 million hectares”, destined for export to feed the palm oil industries.”

What is most disconcerting is the Rainforest Movement’s confession of sort: “Indonesia has 10% of the world’s remaining tropical forests which are home to over 20,000 plant species – accounting for 10% of the planet’s total –, 12% of the world's mammal species and 17% of bird species, many of which are unique. The magnitude of this lush biodiversity can be pictured by the data that 25 acres of Borneo's rainforest were found to contain 700 tree species, equal to the total number of species for the whole of North America.” The confession? Indonesia is still rich in diversity and it is in the United States where bio-diversity is under serious threat!

Scraping the bottom of the barrel against Malaysia, the Paper attempts to paint a picture of indiscriminate clearing of traditional lands thus depriving the local indigenous tribes of their customary land. The paper describes a march on the office of the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah by a coalition of indigenuous tribes: “Representatives of the Murut, the Kadazandusun, and the Rungus, and some 30 more tribes coming from the remote region of Tongod, traversed in July of this year northern Borneo to reach the gleaming office of Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister of Land, Datuk Lajim Haji Ukin at the capital city of Kota Kinabalu.” Then the giveaway: “With the assistance of community support organizations, Wilster and others from Tongod are now trying a new strategy – they’ve filed a court case against the State and two plantation companies: Hup Seng Consolidated Berhad and Asiatic Development Berhad. The case is the first deliberate test of Sabah’s land tenure laws with regards to indigenous peoples.” In a land where indigenous people can file suit in court surely lays to waste the claims that such tribes are being deprived of their customary land with impunity!

What these papers tries to conceal (which is obviously un-concealable) is that palm oil is largely grown in Asia, Africa and Latin America, all 3 of which are continents with the LOWEST emission data per Capita of any place in the world! Deforestation Watch takes the view that such unwarranted and unjustified attacks against a commodity that is contributing to uplifting the economic and social wellbeing of the peoples in the palm oil belt can hardly be described as “colonization”. Rather than colonization, the growing of palm oil actually serves to liberate economically and uplift the peoples of the lands in which palm oil is cultivated!

- Reprinted with the kind consent of Deforestationwatch.org.

Reference:
Palm Oil Truth Foundation

Palm oil is a net source of CO2 emissions when produced on peatlands

Palm oil is a net source of CO2 emissions when produced on peatlands
mongabay.com
December 17, 2007

"Solution" to global warming is worse than fossil fuels in terms of emissions. Study finds one ton of palm oil produced on peatland generates 15 to 70 tons of CO2.

Researchers have confirmed that converting peat forests for oil palm plantations results in a large net release of carbon dioxide, indicating industry claims that palm oil helps fight climate change are unfounded, at least when plantations are established in peatlands.

Performing life cycle analysis of land use change in tropical peatlands, Dr. Susan Page (University of Leicester) and colleagues working on the CARBOPEAT and RESTORPEAT projects found that drained, degraded, and converted peatlands are substantial net sources — not net sinks — of carbon dioxide (CO2). They measured annual CO2 emissions per hectare at 170 metric tons for oil palm plantations and 280 metric tons for acacia pulpwood plantations over the 25-year life cycle. By comparison, natural peat swamp — through tree growth and peat accumulation — acts as a carbon sink, accumulating at least 2.6 metric tons of CO2 per hectare per year. Extrapolating for the 420,000 hectares (ha) of oil palm plantations established on peatlands in Malaysia and 2,800,000 ha for Indonesia, the researchers estimate emissions of 3,220 million metric tons of CO2 over the 25-year lifecycle.

Logged peat forest in Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Photo by Rhett Butler.
The researchers say that producing one ton of palm oil on peatland generates 15 to 70 tons of CO2 over 25 years as a result of forest conversion, peat decomposition and emission from fires associated with land clearance.

"Current land use and land practice developments in Southeast Asia give grave cause for concern. While deforestation rates in non-peatland areas are decreasing slightly owing to depletion of forest resources, those on peatlands have been rising for the last 20 years," said Page. "In 2005, 25% of all deforestation in Southeast Asia was on peatlands owing to demand for land on which to establish plantations. Current UNFCCC negotiations in Bali on reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) could offer a crucial opportunity to reduce carbon emissions from tropical peatlands and thus contribute to combating global climate change."

Wetlands International, an NGO that has done extensive work on peatlands in southeast Asia, has found that protection and restoration of peatlands are among the most cost-effective options for slowing global warming, with initial investment at around 15 euro cents ($0.22) for every ton of avoided CO2 emissions. By comparison, carbon credits are presently trading at more than 26 euro ($34) per ton on European exchanges.

Page believes that governments should push peatlands conservation as a step towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

"The Government of Indonesia should regard its peatlands as a 'bank' because they are worth more as biodiversity and carbon stores than oil palm or pulp tree plantations," she explained. "As a first step it should rescind ALL concession licenses that have been (and still are being) granted for new plantations on its peatland, especially those granted by the decentralized local governments without carrying out Environmental Impact Assessments. It is clear with current rates of peatland conversion that the Indonesian Government cannot reduce its massive non-industrial CO2 emissions unless it stops plantation and other agricultural and industrial uses of its peatlands, and takes serious measures to protect the natural resource functions of biodiversity, carbon and water stores of the remaining peat swamp forests."

Reference:
MONGABAY