Jakarta Air Quality Ranks Third Worst in the World
Air quality in DKI Jakarta has once again reached an alarming position. According to data from the air quality monitoring site IQAir on Thursday (20/8) at 06.00 WIB, Jakarta ranked third as the city with the worst air quality in the world.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital was recorded at 162, which falls into the unhealthy category. Under these conditions, the public is advised to always wear masks when engaging in outdoor activities.
In IQAir’s global monitoring, the city with the worst air quality in the world was Kinshasa, Congo, with an AQI of 208. Meanwhile, Kuching, Malaysia, was in second place with an AQI of 199.
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is implementing three main strategies to improve air quality in the capital.
The first strategy is to expand the reach of Transjabodetabek bus services to reduce the use of private vehicles. New routes being prepared include Blok M–Alam Sutera, Blok M–PIK 2, and Blok M–Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
The second strategy focuses on accelerating the conversion of the fleet to environmentally friendly vehicles. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is targeting the operation of 10,000 Transjakarta electric buses by 2030, given that the transportation sector contributes up to 50 percent of exhaust emissions in Jakarta.
DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has also urged the public to switch to the public transport services provided. To stimulate public participation, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has issued regulations regarding the provision of free public transport services for 15 groups of citizens.
The third strategy focuses on environmental management, namely by optimising the use of the Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) waste processing facility located in Rorotan, North Jakarta.
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is also preparing weather modification in the form of artificial rain to help reduce air pollution in the capital.
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing artificial rain weather modification to reduce air pollution caused by the prolonged dry season, pending cloud conditions that make it possible.