Malaysia
At my previous work as a researcher deforestation was a regular topic as it had an significant impact on the carbon footprint of some products we were doing the environmental assessment for. Still I had no idea how a palm oil plantation, for instance, looks like. Tell me about it now.
My route across Southeast Asia was around 7000km and my estimation is that 4000km of the distance was palm oil and rubber tree plantations. I think I saw a primary forest only a handful of times.
What was first a good camping ground turned slowly into a symbol of death and destruction.
Month by month the monotonous scenery started to have an impact on me. I had been warned by other bike tourers of the devastation, but there was nothing to prepare me for this. What was first a good camping ground turned slowly into a symbol of death and destruction. I tried to keep my mind away from the impacts of deforestation on a global scale, but it was impossible. Nothing has a bigger single impact on global warming than deforestation on a belt of equator.
Am I wasting time by just riding my bike, instead of trying to make a difference?
I wasn’t sure anymore if I was doing the best thing for my self anymore. Am I wasting time by just riding my bike, instead of trying to make a difference by working in the field of sustainability, like I use to? Is my long bike ride making a difference at all? And if yes, to whom? In the end of the day, why am I really trying to cycle around the world?
I am a man of lists, so here is the list that I come up with to justify my voyage for my self:
- If you want to save the planet, knowing what’s on it gives you perseverance and motivation
- If you want to see the world, do it when the opportunity reveals it self
- If you want to see the world, do it when you still can
- Doing what you love often makes a difference
I’m guessing I am still on the right road.
🇲🇾 #biketouring #Malaysia #March2016
