ITB IATL Hosts FOKAL 2026, Discussing Solutions to the Environmental Crisis

Three environmental crises are threatening Indonesia simultaneously, from waste and water pollution to climate change. This situation is seen not only as damaging to ecosystems but also as endangering public health and daily life.

The Forum Akademisi dan Aktivis Lingkungan (FOKAL) 2026 spotlighted these issues as a real crisis that has not yet been supported by adequate public awareness. The forum, held by the Ikatan Alumni Teknik Lingkungan (IATL) ITB in the East Hall of ITB, Bandung, on Wednesday (8/4/2026), emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration to accelerate solutions to the environmental crisis.

The environmental activist group Pandawara revealed on-the-ground challenges that reflect low public awareness. On that occasion, Pandawara recounted a shocking fact from the early days of their cleanup actions.

“Before we cleaned the water channels, we first asked for permission from the local RW, and after we finished, they asked where’s the coffee money? Actually, those of us doing the cleaning should be the ones getting coffee,” said Rifki Sa’dulah, based on a press release from IATL ITB.

He stressed that environmental problems will not be resolved solely through technology. “No matter how advanced the technology, without building awareness in society, in government, in communities, in each individual, it will be in vain,” said Rifki.

A similar view was expressed by Rifki’s colleague, Mochamad Agung Permana, who highlighted the negative stigma towards waste management activities. “Society still views cleaning the environment and handling waste as something lowly and dirty; this needs to be changed so that people see protecting the environment as something cool,” said Agung.