Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them. (Answer in 250 words) 15M

• Natural rubber is an organic compound polymerized from isoprene and is derived from various sources, with the most common being the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).
• In 2020, Thailand was the largest producer of natural rubber, contributing 35% of the global supply, followed by Indonesia.
  • Rubber trees thrive in tropical climates and require deep soil that is resistant to flooding, with annual rainfall ranging from 60 to 78 inches.
• Although natural rubber is native to the Amazon basin, approximately 90% of the world’s supply is produced in Asia, mainly in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
• Other countries that produce rubber include Ivory Coast, Brazil, Mexico, Gabon, Guinea, Ecuador, and Sri Lanka.

Environmental issues

• Rubber cultivation is a plantation crop that requires a long gestation period to become a profitable crop, but it also comes with negative externalities such as:
  • Malaysia and Indonesia have lost a significant portion of their natural forests due to rubber cultivation.
    • Rubber cultivation can lead to the extinction of biodiversity, and the population of some iconic species, such as orangutans, has declined.
  • Prioritizing plantation crops like rubber can reduce the cultivation of food crops and hinder progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • A monotonous cropping pattern can diminish the soil’s ability to rejuvenate, and the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers can cause various illnesses in society.
  • The long gestation period of rubber plantation (7-8 years) makes it more susceptible to pests and climate-induced diseases, which can harm the interests of small crop holders and affect their livelihoods.
  • The rubber plantation itself is the source of various pollution and GHGs like:
    • In Malaysia, open burning of rubber plantation waste such as rubber tree stumps after land clearing is a common practice.
    • The production of one kilogram of dry rubber generates eight kilograms of effluent, and its natural degradation results in the release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane.
    • The emissions from the rubber industry have been associated with various diseases and have diverse impacts on human health.
  • The rubber industry contributes significantly to water pollution and exacerbates the issue of water scarcity in countries where rubber is produced.

In order to meet the increasing demand for rubber driven by industrial expansion, sustainable cultivation practices are necessary. This requires a synthesis of local and global knowledge with the use of modern technology, in the interest of all stakeholders involved in the industry.

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