Curbing Pollution is Serious Business

ANCHOR:
Industrial pollution is on the rise. In a profit driven world, it seems normal to put profits before the environment. However, in Jakarta, Indonesia, this trend is finally changing. Let's take a look...

STORY:
On June 29, twenty-four directors of top companies in Jakarta celebrated World Environment Day, by signing a declaration letter agreeing to voluntarily limit the pollution their respective companies produce.

The declaration letter was approved by the Minister of Environment, Rachmat Witoelar, and Jakarta governor, Fauzi Bowo.

Mr. Witoelar, was hopeful that all Indonesia entrepreneurs would follow the lead set by these companies in voluntarily curbing pollution.

One initiative that is gathering a lot of public support is Jakarta's "car free day," which some say is having a significant effect on the air quality in this sprawling city of 200 million people.

Environmental degradation from human activities compounds the many natural risks posed by Indonesia's environment. Heavy logging, mining, fires, and the creation of large plantations have reduced the natural environment's capacity to withstand the challenges posed by nature.

Furthermore, large populations often live in disaster-prone areas, due to the difficulty in locating fertile soil in floodplains or in cities with compromised natural ecosystems.

According to Indonesia National Disaster Control, since 1998 to 2004, close to 10,000 lives have been lost due to environmental disasters with an estimated $63 million dollars in damage.

NTDTV, Jakarta, Indonesia

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• industrial
• pollution
• environment
• jakarta
• indonesia