Green consumers' organization established
Green consumers' organization established
JAKARTA (JP): A new consumers organization focusing on the
environment was established last month. The goal is clear: to
establish a society of consumers with environmental awareness.
It is called the Indonesian Green Consumers Organization or
Yayasan Lembaga Konsumen Hijau Indonesia (Lemkohi). Green is the
representative color of the environment, but not everybody knows
that. Syafei Kadarusman, a director of the organization, was
surprised when a university student asked whether it had
something to do with the United Development Party -- a political
party which happens to have a green flag.
"I was startled with the question," he said. "He is a student,
but knew nothing about green consumerism."
Kadarusman was aware that many people do not know what green
consumerism is, but he did not expect a university student to be
unfamiliar with the term.
Two weeks after the organization was set up, it held a half-
day discussion on green consumerism in observance of Earth Day,
which fell on April 23. It sent 300 invitations to
businesspeople, students, activists, and some government
officials. Kadarusman was disappointed when most of them did not
show up.
Water in plastic cups was distributed. At the end of the
discussion, the invitees were asked to place the cups near the
door, but nobody listened.
"It is their business," a student commented, leaving the
plastic cup under his seat.
The target of green consumerism is students and the middle
class, because they are relatively better educated than those who
are poor. Those who are poor will likely find it difficult to
join the movement, because they often don't have the option of
choice which comes with being financially secure.
The organization is planning to hold consumer training for
students beginning in July. In the meantime, the organization's
executives are building on their own strengths.
Volunteers
"Some of us are working as volunteers at YLKI, the Indonesian
Consumers Organization, and some others are taking a course on
Environmental Impact Assessment at the University of Indonesia,"
Kadarusman, a former Environmental Impact Assessment consultant,
said.
He said that the green consumers organization will not only
hold campaigns on green consumerism for consumers, but also for
producers as well. Many consumers and producers alike do not have
an adequate environmental awareness.
Even though the green consumers organization has just been
established, green consumerism is not really new here. Sunoto, a
staff member of the assistant to the minister of environment who
is in charge of business matters, said that green consumerism
began to take hold in the country during the early 1980s. The
activists included Erna Witoelar, a former director of the
Indonesian Consumers Organization.
"The government warmly welcomes the establishment of the green
consumers organization, because we realize the importance of
public participation in the preservation of the environment,"
Sunoto said.
The green consumers organization was set up by 13 young people
who are concerned with the deteriorating environment. They
realize that continuous efforts should be made to preserve the
environment and to support the implementation of sustainable
development. As the quality of life among some Indonesians is
improving, the organization believes that it is time to develop
green consumerism concepts.
The organization deals with issues of green consumerism,
including ecology, water, marine life, environmental law, housing
and the environmental problems related to industry.
In the wake of trade liberalization, green consumerism has
become important. There is a high demand for ecolabeling to
ensure that the products are environmentally friendly. Indonesia
will be left behind if it does not follow the rules of the
game.(sim)