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