By piecing together a complex ecological puzzle, biologist Willie Smits believes he has found a way to re-grow clearcut rainforest in Borneo, saving local orangutans — and creating a thrilling blueprint for restoring fragile ecosystems. NOTE: The core content of this talk has been challenged on a number of grounds. For details, and Willie Smits' response, please see "A challenge to Willie Smits' talk" below.

Willie Smits: How to restore a rainforest

How to restore a rainforest

Transforming a biological desert in Borneo into a thriving rainforest, proving the power of ecological restoration and local engagement.

Deforestation in Indonesia, driven by oil palm cultivation for biofuel, ranks the country third in global CO2 emissions.

Samboja Lestari: A restoration model transforming a biological desert into a thriving ecosystem, boosting local economy and biodiversity.