A Breath of Fresh Air, an Issue of Public Health and Safety
Pollution in Jakarta has risen to alarming levels under the guidance of the WHO (world health organization). The air quality has become unhealthy for residents to live and conduct day to day activities in an outdoor setting.
Pollution in Jakarta has become an issue of public health and safety where even being outdoors and exercising puts people at risk of contracting pollutants that will lead to long term health issues. The health issues range in various diseases such as cancer, lung and liver failures and more due to the external chemicals that have a negative health impact. According to data from the government, the pollution has caused an estimate of 8,700 deaths in Jakarta in the year 2023 alone. Moreover, the Air Quality Index (AQI) data published by the BMKG (Badan Meteorologi klimatologi dan geofisika/Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency) over the past two months have indicated that in July and August the average air quality in Jakarta is deemed unhealthy with an AQI ranging between 150-200 with 14.9 times more pollutants than recommended by the WHO (world health organization).
image: aqicn
The cause for public concern rises as it affects the day to day lives of 10.7 million residents of Jakarta. Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry records that 44% of air pollution comes from motor vehicles and public transportation. Moreover, as day to day activities begin resuming to normal and COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, the need to use transportation becomes essential causing more pollutants to the environment. This issue is a cause for concern and should be essential for the government to address to avoid a health and safety crisis.
image: aqicn
Why is this important?
Breathing fresh air is a public good that is in-exclusive and is a basic human need to survive. When public good such as clean air becomes inaccessible due to human activity, it is the government's duty to take action and mend the issue. According to the data we have on pollution in Jakarta, the stark increase of pollution occurred when people transitioned out of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The pandemic caused many day to day activities to be conducted online which significantly reduced travel and commute allowing for an overall good air quality in Jakarta in 2021 according to data from the BMKG. As the Ministry of Environments data concluded that 44% of the increase in pollution is due to transportation which is also a factor of another public transportation issue in Jakarta which is the heavy traffic.
As a taxpayer, we have the right to demand the government to mend issues that we find important. The government has a duty to protect public interest which includes health and goods that are in-exclusive and concerns every resident of Jakarta. In solving the issue the government could also target policies which allow for less transportation and effective transportation measures to reduce the amount of pollutants from Motor vehicles. Moreover, it is important to solve this issue in order to prevent further health issues which also has to be covered through the government social security program (BPJS).
What can you do on your end to make change?
Educate yourself on the topic of environmental health and how pollution affects our daily lives. This will help in taking action as understanding the risks of the topic can help us become more aware of why it is a big issue.
Talk to your local politician to demand policy change. The government uses tax payers money to conduct their day to day activities. Since taxpayer money is being used to provide goods and services to the public, we have the right to demand which issues the government should look into and mend in order to create a more conducive environment. As a democracy it is essential that we communicate with politicians to demand changes on issues that aren’t a top priority when it becomes a point of concern for the people. When a lot of people demand a certain change, the voice of the masses has the power to create change.
Join online platforms to voice concerns. In a democracy the most essential principle is for the people, by the people and of the people. This means that in a functional democracy it is essential for constituents to voice their concerns so the government can work towards answering the concerns. Find a way to create a voice through online platforms that are utilized in this era to bring awareness to an issue.
As a personal goal, try to utilize the public transport system or carpool with friends to reduce Carbon Dioxide admissions to the atmosphere from motor vehicles. Although pollution comes from different sources, it is essential that we try to take small steps in our everyday lives to create tangible steps.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This is aimed to reduce trash and pollution from burning trash in Indonesia. The combustion created by randomized burning pollutes the city with many dangerous chemicals that are released both from combustion and chemicals. This creates more harm towards the environment. Moreover, supply and demand law dictates when there is a demand, supply will go up. In order to reduce factory based pollution, it is essential to reuse while we can and reduce our waste and pollution, killing two birds with one stone.
