UNS — The Earth Day commemorated on 22 April reminds people to continue taking care of the earth and natural sustainability. Human activities are the main factor that causes climate changes, environmental pollution, and the extinction of plants and animal species. The recent study event mentioned that floods would occur three times more often due to global warming.
To restore people’s awareness of the importance of taking care of the earth, Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Surakarta conducted an interactive dialogue on Saving the Earth from Damage on Thursday (22/4/2021). The exchange invited the Chief of Environmental Research Center (PPLH) Institute for Research and Community Services (LPPM) UNS, Dr. Suryanto.
Dr. Suryanto stated that the environmental issues faced by the community, especially in Solo, concern waste management. As for the surrounding districts, the main problem is land use. Both cases demand special attention from both the government and its community. He also added that environmental damages occurred due to the developmental approach that does not apply sustainable and environmentally friendly aspects.
Economic growth always takes precedence in developing countries, which often puts aside the environmental quality to maintain economic growth. Therefore, Earth Day, initiated in 1970, demands the community to always taking care and saving the earth, considering the continuously decreasing awareness and increasing population. Strict regulation is also needed to minimize environmental damages caused by unprocessed firm wastes that pollute the water ecosystem.
Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta takes the lead in protecting the earth by consistently implementing car-free days on its campus. “This program aims to grow collective awareness to be more caring towards the environment by decreasing vehicle gas emission,” Dr. Suryanto explained. He also promoted Bank Sampah (Waste Bank) and its role to manage the increasing number of wastes. “My emphasis is not on the location to collect the waste, but also the waste management. We hope that waste management can follow the growth of waste volume,” he added.
Gatot Susanto, Head of Environmental Agency (DLH) of Surakarta, who also attended the dialogue, shared the strategies taken by the Surakarta government to maintain its environmental sustainability. These strategies include improving regulation on tree logging in Surakarta, which regulates the cut of one tree to be replaced with planting ten new trees.
The efforts taken by the community to save the earth are expected to grow into a culture that can be passed down to the next generation. Concluding the dialogue, he quoted an exciting slogan, ‘Do not pass down tears, but pass down water source to our next generations’.
Hopefully, Earth Day becomes a reminder to grow people’s awareness to keep and love their environment. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
