Pollution<\/p>\n
As an expatriate there are many new customs and ways one tries
\nto get used to in another country. Indonesia is certainly no
\nexception. There is one aspect of Indonesia that I simply cannot
\nunderstand -- the pollution. It is rampant and everywhere. It is
\nnot caused only by industry but by each and every Indonesian from
\nthe peasants to the rich.<\/p>\n
Litter: Why do people throw their garbage out everywhere? Is
\nit laziness or selfishness? It is everywhere and makes Jakarta
\n(and other parts of Indonesia) disgraceful. It takes so little
\neffort to put trash in its place, yet people appear oblivious to
\nthe filthy rivers, ditches and roadsides that they have created.
\nFor a country that takes so much pride in its independence and
\nbirthday it's difficult to understand why the opposite attitude
\nis reflected by littering.<\/p>\n
The nightly burning of garbage creates a foul odor in the air
\nand greatly contributes to the smog. Harmful toxins are released
\nwhen non-organic materials are burned. They do not simply
\ndisappear but remain in the air and are breathed by everyone and
\nactually brought back to the earth by rain. Trash collection
\nexists, why not compost biodegradables and bag those materials
\nthat are true waste. A law needs to be enacted to stop all
\nburning within the cities.<\/p>\n
Vehicle pollution: The pollution from some vehicles, mainly
\nbuses and trucks is atrocious. Pollution controls are readily
\navailable to stop the problem yet there seems to be no concern
\nover it. Instead of worrying about the safety of passengers,
\nrequiring that bus doors be closed while the bus is in motion,
\nthe government should direct its attention to the back end of the
\nbus where the greater hazard exists.<\/p>\n
This letter is not intended for complaining, I will leave
\nIndonesia soon and whether it remains polluted or not is of no
\nconsequence to me -- but rather to encourage. If Indonesia is
\never to become a developed country it must be on par with the
\nenvironmental standards of first world countries (recently an
\narticle appeared in The Jakarta Post stating that several textile
\nmanufacturers had lost market share for failing to meet
\nenvironmental guidelines).<\/p>\n
Indonesia must appear not only financially attractive for
\ncompanies to want to do business here. I would never have come to
\nJakarta or will I come back for Jakarta's sake alone. It has
\nnothing appealing about it.<\/p>\n
It takes very little effort for Indonesia and Jakarta to clean
\nitself up. Does anyone care enough to make it happen?<\/p>\n
ALAN HUURMAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pollution-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }