Publication

This paper looks at the continued increase of rubber plantations in Southeast Asia since the 1950s. It suggests this land use could have negative impacts on the local environment and increase the chance of natural disasters in these areas as well as carbon emissions. However, it also explains that despite these issues, both local farmers and outside entrepreneurs are likely to keep expanding rubber plantations because of their high economic returns. Because of this, the authors suggest that improving the long-term outlook for the region requires production systems that provide a balance between economic return and environmental sustainability.