Ep 2. End of the Woods

In the second episode of the eco-documentary series Years of Living Dangerously, titled "End of the Woods," viewers are taken on a journey through the devastating effects of deforestation in the Indonesian rainforest. The episode begins with actor Ian Somerhalder witnessing the destruction of pristine forests caused by palm oil plantations as a result of increased global demand for this one of the most widely consumed commodities in the world and pushing the endangered orangutans ever closer to the brink of extinction.

Somerhalder's investigation exposes the harsh environmental and social consequences of palm oil production, which has led to large-scale deforestation in Sumatra and Kalimantan, leaving behind a barren wasteland that has been robbed of its rainforest canopy. He interviews activists, researchers, and families who are living in the shadow of deforestation.

The episode moves towards highlighting the work done by two very different men who've been fighting for the preservation of Indonesia's rainforest. One of them is a local farmer, Rolf Winters, who gave up his job as a banker in Holland to live in the forest for six years with his family, cultivating plants and trees and practicing sustainable farming. Rolf's partner, Louis Psihoyos, is a world-famous photographer who is using his lens to bring attention to the catastrophic effects of deforestation on the orangutans, and the indigenous people who are being displaced from their ancestral lands to make way for palm oil plantations.

The episode pulls at the viewer's heartstrings, as it becomes clear that the orangutans aren't the only animals in danger of extinction because of the destruction of the rainforest. Species of insects, birds, and fish all face the same fate, as their habitats are brutally destroyed in the name of commercial enterprise. The filmmakers use stunning visuals and undercover footage to show the extent of the damage done and bring to light the scale of the deforestation crisis in Indonesia.

Towards the end of the episode, we are traveled around the US to see how the demand for palm oil is fueling the destruction of Indonesian rainforests. Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Tom Friedman takes us on a tour to the heart of America, where he visits cities and towns that are betting big on the export of agricultural commodities like corn, soybean, and palm oil. Even when individuals endeavor to pick and choose products free from rainforest destruction, it can often be extremely difficult to determine what products contain unsustainable palm oil.

Years of Living Dangerously's "End of the Woods" is a gripping and informative episode that shows the devastating effects of the illegal deforestation and logging in the Indonesian rainforest. Through an excellent blend of stunning footage, expert interviews, and emotional narratives, the episode successfully underlines the consequences of this ever-growing global issue. It is sure to leave viewers contemplating their actions and the values of businesses they support.