'Save energy? I don't have an air conditioner'
'Save energy? I don't have an air conditioner'
The government has called on the public to take part in a
nationwide drive to save energy, including reducing fuel
consumption. The Jakarta Post talked to residents about what they
could do at home to save energy.
Alex Yuniarto, 30, works as a consultant at a foreign company
on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta. He lives with his family in
Cawang, East Jakarta.
My mother is busy reminding everyone to turn off all
unnecessary lights. After 9 p.m. we only use some of the lights
in the main rooms, leaving the kitchen and bathrooms in the dark.
We have also significantly reduced the use of cars for our
day-to-day activities. We have six cars, one for each member of
the family. But now we only use two of them. We get up much
earlier so we can go to work together in one car. I go home by
getting a ride with a friend or using public transportation.
I'm not only saving fuel but also money. When I drive my car
to work, I spend at least Rp 100,000 to fill the gas tank. I used
to use the car to get to work five days a week. But now I only
spend Rp 5,000 a day for the bus, or Rp 25,000 a week. That's
much cheaper.
Wahyudi, 32, works for a foreign non-governmental organization
on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta. He lives in Serpong, Tangerang.
To tell the truth, I am not doing anything special to save
energy at home. This campaign seems to me to be irrelevant and
naive. It fails to address the real problem, which is the
government's poor policies.
I think the energy and fuel conservation campaign is only
meaningful for the few people who are well-off. But for the
majority of poor residents here who are already living with
limited access to energy, the campaign has no meaning.
Tony W, 29, works as a math tutor. He rents a house in the
densely populated area of Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.
Save energy? What's to save? I don't have an air conditioner
or washing machine. I use few lamps at home and get around by
bus.
--The Jakarta Post