Integrate a 'green GDP' into development: Scholar<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): An environmental expert has called on the
\ngovernment to include environmental costs in the calculation of
\nthe country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).<\/p>\n
However, Sudharto P. Hadi, a lecturer at Diponegoro
\nUniversity, said Tuesday that there would be difficulties,
\nespecially because the methodology necessary for the measurement
\nof the so-called \"green GDP\" has yet to be established.<\/p>\n
\"There would be obstacles,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The GDP is considered indicative of a country's wealth and its
\ncitizens' wellbeing, a measure currently questioned by many
\nsocial scientists, including economists.<\/p>\n
Sudharto added that the GDP only calculates production
\nincreases and sales revenue. It fails to include environmental
\ndestruction and pollution caused to produce the goods calculated.<\/p>\n
Addressing a seminar on Sustainable Development in the Era of
\nGlobalization, at Diponegoro University, Sudharto said that over
\nthe period 1971 to 1984, Indonesia lost Rp 15.84 trillion
\n(US$6.65 billion) from environmental destruction caused by land
\ndegradation and the oil and wood industry.<\/p>\n
\"My estimate of our economic growth, minus the cost of
\nenvironmental degradation, is only 4 percent, not 7 percent as
\npeople have said,\" Sudharto said.<\/p>\n
He said the developmental plans of most countries neglect
\nenvironmental consideration, such as changing consumption habits
\nthat degrade the environment.<\/p>\n
\"Jakarta has been rated as the third-worst polluted city in
\nthe world. There's also the reduction of 13.4 million hectares of
\nmangroves to only two million hectares in the capital. These are
\njust some examples,\" Sudharto said.<\/p>\n
The air-pollution rating was conducted by the United Nations
\nEnvironment Program, which finds Mexico City to be the worst-
\npolluted city, followed by Bangkok.<\/p>\n
Seventy percent of all rivers in Indonesia have been polluted.
\nMoreover, about 97 percent of residents' wells in Jakarta were
\nsaid to be contaminated by sea water intrusion.<\/p>\n
\"Such destruction is primarily caused by our negligence to
\nincorporate environmental matters into our development plan. Save
\nthe environment lest our grandchildren would have to inherit an
\nunlivable environment,\" Sudharto said. (06\/har)<\/p>",
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