Save Ecosystems for Future Generations: Indonesian Expert

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government has set a goal of increasing the use of renewable energy while fossil fuels are still dominated in the country and globally. 

The Southeast Asian country that lies across the Equator is blessed with rainforests and sufficient renewables that can contribute to strengthening its sustainable development.

The government has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 29 percent by 2030 and 41 percent with international cooperation. This is part of the country’s efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change under the global framework of the Paris Agreement. To meet the ambitious target sustainable development has been unavoidable.

Also read: Renewable Energy Transition Requires $3.5 Trillion in Investment Per Year: Bank Indonesia

Though the new and renewable energy bill is still under discussion by the House Legislative Body, the government said that various actions in promoting sustainable development have been carried out in all sectors by the relevant parties.

In an interview with go.kompas.com, a prominent economist and environmentalist Professor Emil Salim said that resource wealth must also benefit the next generations. 

“If you have the resource, use it but after it is used for your benefit, leave the resource with the ability to support the lives of the future generations,” Professor Emil said on Thursday, Feb. 24.

This includes the efforts to repair the damage caused by mining activities. In some areas of Indonesia, abandoned mine sites still exist. Abandoned coal and tin mines can bring impacts on health and environmental hazards.

Also read: ASEAN Aims to Secure 23 Percent Renewable Energy by 2025

He underscored the importance of maintaining the ecosystems to function following economic development. “It is how to develop the way we should develop a nation while nature is still able to survive,” he said.

“We need roads therefore we need to cut trees. But, cut the trees in such a way without putting the ecosystem at stake.”

The environment is a living entity and provides food for the living creatures, he added.

The professor emeritus of economics and business at the University of Indonesia also said that the revenues from the resource wealth should not only be provided for this generation but also the future generations.