<p>Dear President and Environment & Forestry Minister of Indonesia,</p><p>One of the worst environmental disasters to reach Indonesia is ongoing, and has a clear, single cause: the hunger for palm oil.</p><p>While it's understandable that the Indonesian government would want to encourage palm oil production — it's your third-highest source of capital — the current palm oil model in Indonesia is unsustainable.</p><p>This year, at least nineteen people have died from forest fires or smoke inhalation, and an unknown number of animals have undoubtedly perished too. The fire starters are responsible for a loss of 21,000 square kilometers of forest habitats, and toxic smoke from the burned-down trees has spilled into the atmosphere over Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore.</p><p>Last year, you increased revenue from palm by imposing an export levy on the product. That was a step in the right direction, but you can do even more to protect the people and wildlife with whom you share a home.</p><p>Your country has some of the most beautiful people and animals on the planet. By protecting their beauty, you will be able to drive tourism, all while restoring the calm equilibrium once prevalent in Borneo.</p><p>Please redirect palm oil export revenue from the biofuel program to ecotourism and conservation initiatives, so you can raise your bottom line in a more friendly, sustainable, and intelligent manner.</p><p>Thank you.</p>