Jakarta drowning in Pollution
Ongoing damage to the environment has concerned many people, including students. The Jakarta Post interviewed several students about what their chief concerns were on the issue. Following this week's discussion on the environment, the Post will ask for comments on issues related to education, including student brawls.
Krishna Pambudi, 18, a student at state high school SMU 73 in Slipi, West Jakarta. He lives in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.
"Densely polluted air has become a major problem here as exhaust and dust float are everywhere. The condition has been further aggravated by construction in water catchment and green belt areas.
Look at the trees on the side of the toll road in Kebon Jeruk near Taman Anggrek Mall. There used to be a huge forest, which could have served as the city's lungs. Not only are less trees standing, but some of the remaining trees have begun to wither, possibly from the noxious fumes of passing trailer trucks."
Andos L. Tobing, 18, also studies at SMU 73 in Slipi, West Jakarta. Andos lives in Tomang, West Jakarta.
"The heat. That's always the first thing that pops into my mind when I talk about the environment. The heat persists not only through midday, but through the night, making me sweat endlessly.
Dense air pollution is the main cause. Fumes from run-down public transportation vehicles that shouldn't be on the road stays in the air here. Although the campaign to curb vehicle emissions is continuing, vehicle owners don't really care as they don't want to spend the money (to improve their engines to lower emissions).
In my opinion, the government should be blamed as it has failed to provide strong effective policies to deal with environmental problems. The government has also failed to provide roadworthy buses."
Beatrik Aestika Rosmary, 16, is a Jakarta-born student at high school SMU Antonius in Cipinang, East Jakarta. She lives in Cipinang Muara in East Jakarta.
"Garbage and poor waste management is my main concern about our environment. Flooding is partly caused by the mounting waste in the city.
For the first time, my house was inundated with floodwater during the huge floods in January and February.
But even though the recent flood affected a lot of Jakarta residents, it seems that many people are still ignorant about dealing with the garbage problem. They continue to use the canals and streets as dump sites. Perhaps it is not only their fault. The pictures on billboards telling people to throw litter in garbage bins look silly and there aren't enough trash receptacles in public places.
Besides, the endless amount of construction in the city is also making our environment worse. I don't know why a park that belonged to our housing complex had a house built on it."