Developing without destroying

Developing without destroying

From Merdeka

At the opening of the Third International Conference on Zero Emission at the State Palace, President Soeharto said in his address that environmental damage in developing countries was due to poverty. But environmental pollution and the squandering of resources in advanced countries was a result of an extravagant lifestyle.

Therefore, in an effort to keep environmental damage in check, it is necessary to consider two issues. First, there is a need to establish international cooperation enabling developing countries to reach a higher level of economic growth. Second, self- restraint is also needed in developed countries to nurture the concept of frugality in tapping natural resources (Merdeka, Aug. 1).

It is our common responsibility to find ways of developing without causing damage to the environment. It is indeed true, as President Soeharto said, that the Earth Summit prompted more environmentally friendly economic development. However, now that five years have elapsed since the summit, the situation is going from bad to worse. It is difficult to imagine the condition of our planet if this deterioration continues. Not only human beings but animals of all species will be horrified by the outcome. From now on we must prevent natural resources and the environment from being exposed to arbitrary and utterly irresponsible acts.

Let's look around. Everywhere the water levels of our rivers have dropped and in the dry season they are empty. Our forests will disappear without proper management and the loss of these trees will consequently harm the environment and disrupt the otherwise harmonious ecosystem. It is only natural that Indonesia's tropical forests are called "the world's umbrella" because many forests in other countries have already been destroyed. Our surroundings will continue to deteriorate unless they are maintained.

Developing this country without damaging the environment is the path to follow. Development will be meaningless if it is coupled with a deteriorating environment that exerts adverse influences. Therefore, Indonesian people and all government apparatuses should shoulder the responsibility put forward by the President.

EDDY YAHYA K.

Bekasi, West Java