'I'm not bragging, I care for the environment'

Pollution has killed thousands of fish in Jakarta Bay in the past month, a phenomenon that experts suspect was caused by the dumping of household waste into rivers. In conjunction with World Environment Day on June 5, The Jakarta Post talked to some residents on how they personally protect the environment in the city.

Yudi Effendi, 28, is an electronic data processing (EDP) officer working for a private company in Mampang, South Jakarta. He lives with his family in Kalibata, South Jakarta:

If we really care about the environment, than we should do something about it, and not just talk about it or hold seminars, which I think are useless anyway.

To do something for the environment doesn't mean being a radically outspoken green activist. Maintaining a good attitude and committing to small environmentally friendly acts on a regular basis would do.

Office employees, like myself, for example, can start out by saving paper, and saving electricity by turning off lamps, computers and other office appliances, when not in use.

We can also be selective when buying things, ensuring they don't contain anything toxic or harmful to animals.

Now, what I just mentioned might sound like the usual lip- service, and I'm not trying to brag, but I'm quite proud to say that I've actually been doing these things.

Yasin, 46, is a taxi driver. He lives with his family in Cawang area, East Jakarta:

I don't know much about environmental management. I'm not well-educated, you know.

But, I grew up in a small village in West Sumatra where every house is surrounded by big trees. Bird songs woke us up every morning and we used to swim in the small river -- even now you can see the riverbed clearly.

The air was fresh, we ate well, slept well -- were less distressed than those living in big cities.

Where can we see such scenery here in Jakarta?

We even have distilled household liquid waste for drinking water, can you imagine?

I advise my children not to litter and always respect nature, because we owe nature the air we breathe and the planet we live on.

-- The Jakarta Post