Solving air pollution
Solving air pollution
From Media Indonesia
The recently published joint public service announcement by the Body Shop, the Jakarta Park Service and Leo Burnett Kreasindo Indonesia, is an appeal capable of arousing all people to care for their environment, to create a healthy, clean and beautiful environment in every corner and residential area of Jakarta. The message is an attractive and educative appeal for the coming generation to always love and appreciate a healthy environment.
According to information from the Environmental Impact Management Agency, 78 percent of Jakarta's air is unhealthy, while the pollution level during peak hours is 37.5 percent, which exceeds the normal tolerance. It is terrifying if we look up at the sky. The biggest contributors to air pollution are public and private vehicles, industries and office compounds (which use diesel generators).
The lack of fresh air is instantaneously felt when we are on the road. In my opinion, this appeal needs to be broadcast to all citizens, not only as an incidental ad, but by the establishment of a cooperation between the relevant parties necessary to meet this goal. The parties which should be concerned with this matter include the government, in this case the Jakarta Administration, nature-loving non-government organizations and Neighborhood Associations.
They should work together to present the necessary information until it is fully understood by the community. But unfortunately, I have observed frequently that the authorities often cut trees along the roads as well as in the shopping centers and office compound areas.
When trees are cut down it is the people who suffer in the heat of the day. In big cities with dense population there should be more enduring and shady trees planted. When trees like tamarind and mahogany are in full leaf they are like gigantic bouquets which are convenient for pedestrians in the daytime. In shopping centers, where the space is too narrow to grow big trees, I suggest that they plant palm trees.
Information needs to be given to people who want to build a house, that they should leave part of the house's yard intact for rain water absorption.
It is also my hope that there is a resumption of an urban forest area.
BAMBANG SUGONDO
Jakarta