The Silent Killer: Jakarta Pollution

Jakarta was once a clean environment where the air was refreshing and the water gleamed with purity. Concerns about environmental degradation and contamination were virtually nonexistent, until our actions took a reckless and heedless turn. As time goes on, people continuously dispose trash wherever they please without minding awareness of the serious consequences. This indifference has resulted not only in the pollution of the land, but also the defilement of the air and sea.

It’s not only Jakarta that’s polluted, but all the cities in Indonesia as well! An estimated amount of 190,000 tons of waste are carelessly discarded each day across the nation. What’s even worse is that 20% of the trash is believed to end up in rivers and even coastal waters. As you know, trash like plastic isn't good for the environment: wreaking havoc upon ecosystems, increasing the concentration of greenhouse gasses, and inflicting harm upon countless organisms. When trash is thrown carelessly onto land or sea, animals may mistake it as food, consuming it and putting themselves into grave danger.

Bali is known to be a relaxing, stressless place – where people can wind down, especially when going for holiday. When you hear the word “Bali”, images of tranquil sunsets against a vivid orange sky over glistening waters usually come to mind. But what people never really envision is the contamination of trash tainting the waters. During a past trip to Bali, while kayaking with my sister and cousin, we were met with an unexpected scene: vast quantities of debris, mostly plastic, scattered across the ocean water. This sight was deeply concerning because Bali is typically known for its renowned beaches, not for contaminated waters. I even asked the hotel assistant about why the water was filled with trash. He told me that most of the trash comes from ships that ship items – this is a perfect display of highly disappointing negligence.

Furthermore, air pollution poses significant risks to human well-being as well: it can cause heart diseases, lung cancer, and other types of illnesses. Even Jakarta, the place we call home, is one of the most polluted cities globally! According to Agus Dwi Susanto, Professor of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine at the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine, it is said that air pollution is one of the main causes of deaths in Indonesia, accounting for 123,000 deaths every year. Air pollution is most commonly caused by fossil fuel burning factories and vehicle emissions from motorcycles, cars, and more. These two factors release carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and various other harmful gasses into the air, which is slowly killing us all.

Our quality of life and, most importantly, our health is on the line. Everyday, air, water, and land pollution is taking the lives of innocent animals and humans. Although this issue may seem overwhelming, it still may be preventable and solved once and for all. As citizens of Jakarta, we can make a difference for not just one life, but for many other lives by reducing the use of carbon-emission vehicles, proper waste disposal, and educating others about this issue. By doing this, there could be a chance at saving and making not just Jakarta, but other nations a better place for upcoming generations to enjoy and conserve!