UN Invites Indonesians to Act on Climate Change

The United Nations (UN) in Indonesia is inviting the public to take action against climate change through The Green Community Festival, held to commemorate World Environment Day 2026. “Climate action is not just about large-scale policies. It is also about the choices we make every day, at home, at school, in our communities, and in how we care for one another,” said Miklos Gaspar, Director of the UN Information Centre in Indonesia (UNIC), in a statement on Friday (26/6). He added that World Environment Day is “a moment to listen to the signals the Earth is sending us, and to respond with action.” The festival, held at Martha Christina Tiahahu Park, Blok M Literacy Park, Jakarta, on Thursday, was attended by hundreds of participants from communities, youth groups, civil society organisations, and the general public to discuss, learn, and carry out environmental action. According to UNIC, the festival was organised amid the increasing impacts of climate change, marked by some of the hottest years on record and the rising frequency and impact of climate-related disasters. UNIC also noted that the impacts of climate change are felt most acutely by communities that have already faced climate disasters directly. The event featured urban farming workshops, a talk show on green investment, sustainability-themed games, musical performances, and exhibition booths involving UNICEF, FAO, UNEP, UNHCR, IOM, UNDP, UN Women, government partners, civil society organisations, and environmental communities. One of the festival’s main agendas was the announcement of the Cool School Challenges, an initiative inviting senior high school students across Indonesia to develop ideas and actions for creating more sustainable schools and communities. The programme received 76 submissions from senior high schools in various regions. A total of 15 finalists were selected from Aceh, West Java, Central Java, East Java, East Kalimantan, and West Nusa Tenggara. The diverse ideas submitted included school greening, waste reduction, urban farming, energy saving, environmental campaigns, and community-based climate solutions. Miklos Gaspar remarked that the 76 submissions demonstrate that the younger generation is not waiting for others to act. “They have already started in their own schools and communities,” he said. “That gives us hope.”