Indonesia is the world’s fastest deforester—a dubious distinction that once belonged to Brazil. Arecent report revealed that more than 2 million acres of primary forest are cleared each year, mostly due to palm oil plantations. Palm oil is found in half of all packaged products—from cookies to deodorant—and is a highly lucrative commodity, making it difficult for Indonesia to halt its production.

But while Indonesia struggles to balance its economic needs with its role in climate change, indigenous communities are already modeling ways that strong economics can coexist with sustainable forest management.

Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2014/11/20/fighting-climate-change-with-indigenous-livelihoods/