For decades, Indonesia has been celebrated as one of the planet’s “lungs,” standing alongside the Amazon and the Congo Basin. Its vast tropical forests in Papua, Kalimantan, and Sumatra play an essential role in absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating climate cycles, and supporting extraordinary biodiversity.
Yet this prestigious title is increasingly under scrutiny. As deforestation continues and natural habitats shrink, many are asking whether Indonesia can still fulfill the ecological function implied by the phrase “lungs of the Earth.”
The title is more than symbolic. It reflects Indonesia’s global responsibility in maintaining ecological balance. However, the accelerating loss of forest cover is raising doubts about whether the country can retain its role as a key carbon sink. The question now is not just whether the title is deserved, but whether it can be preserved.
The Ecological Power of Tropical Forests and Peatlands
Indonesia’s tropical forests are among the most biodiverse and ecologically important ecosystems in the world. From the towering dipterocarps of Kalimantan to the lush lowland forests of Papua, these ecosystems store vast amounts of carbon and support countless endemic species. They also anchor regional weather patterns, maintain freshwater cycles, and provide essential ecosystem services for millions of people.
Another major component of Indonesia’s ecological power lies in its peatlands. Peat ecosystems, built over thousands of years from layers of organic matter, store significantly more carbon per hectare than typical tropical forests. As long as peatlands remain intact and waterlogged, they act as powerful carbon vaults. When drained or degraded, however, they release enormous amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Indonesia’s environmental potential remains immense. But the ecological engine that elevates the country to “global lungs” status can only function if its forests remain healthy and intact.
The Growing Threat to Indonesia’s Global Role
Even though recent government data shows a slowdown in annual deforestation rates, forest loss in Indonesia remains significant. Large-scale land conversion for agriculture, particularly palm oil expansion, continues to reduce natural forest cover. Mining activities for minerals such as nickel, which is increasingly in demand for global battery production, add further pressure. Infrastructure development and changes in land use have also contributed to the erosion of forest ecosystems.
Every hectare lost weakens Indonesia’s ability to store carbon, protect biodiversity, and regulate its climate naturally. Forest loss disrupts habitat connectivity, threatens endangered species, and diminishes ecosystem services that communities rely on, from clean water to flood protection.
Deforestation also undermines Indonesia’s credibility as a global environmental leader. The world now watches closely as Indonesia balances economic growth with ecological preservation. Whether the country maintains or loses its symbolic title depends heavily on the choices made today.
Can Indonesia Maintain the Title?
The question of whether Indonesia still deserves to be called the “lungs of the Earth” is tied directly to its willingness and ability to restore and protect remaining forests. The country still possesses some of the largest and most valuable tropical ecosystems on the planet, especially in Papua and northern Kalimantan. These areas represent the strongest foundations for preserving its global ecological role.
Maintaining the title means meeting ambitious sustainability goals. Indonesia must achieve consistent progress toward net-zero deforestation by strengthening legal enforcement, protecting primary forests, improving land governance, and restoring degraded peatlands.
Equally important is reshaping the economic model that drives land conversion. As long as national growth depends heavily on clearing land for plantations and mining, forest degradation will persist. Economic diversification and increased value-added processing within Indonesia could reduce pressure on natural ecosystems.
If Indonesia succeeds in aligning long-term economic development with ecological responsibility, it will not only justify its title but also help shape a global model for tropical forest conservation.
A Title Worth Defending
“Lungs of the Earth” is not a label given forever. It must be earned repeatedly through strong environmental protection and responsible policymaking. Indonesia’s forests once offered indisputable justification for the title. Today, they require urgent and collective action to ensure they survive.
Indonesia stands at a crossroads. The potential to remain one of the world’s most important ecological guardians is still within reach. Whether that future becomes reality depends on the environmental decisions made in the present.
