Jakarta, air quality worsens: second most polluted city in the world
PM 2.5 level of 153 reached. On 13 August, it recorded the worst figure on a global scale. Among the causes were transport, industry, the energy sector and housing. President Jokowi dictates some 'guidelines' and dusts off the Covid-era remote work. Expert warns: more 'awareness' is needed among people.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The progressive deterioration of air quality in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is now confirmed by official statistics according to which the metropolis is the second most polluted city in the world.
A study published on 14 August defines it as "unhealthy", with an Aqi (Air quality index) value of 153 in terms of PM 2.5. A figure that worsened further in the following days and, from fourth place in the world for pollution, pushed it up to second place globally in this unenviable ranking.
Previously, Sunday 13 August had turned out to be the worst day so as to reach the first place among the world's metropolises for air pollution.
According to reports from the Ministry of the Environment and Forests, among the main causes of the deterioration of air quality in the Indonesian capital: transport (44%); industrial plants (31%); energy industry (10%); housing units (14%); commercial activities (1%).
To respond to the growing concern of public opinion, which has also emerged in the media in recent days, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has issued some "guidelines" to drastically reduce air pollution in the capital.
While blaming the long drought that has hit Great Jakarta and which has led the city's inhabitants to suffer from respiratory diseases - including the president for almost three weeks - the head of state is now thinking of implementing a limited presence work policy , dusting off the "remote" one (WFH) long used at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Another move is to focus on "meteorological engineering", in order to make rains possible.
The Jakarta administration has launched an invitation to the public to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to do this it has urged citizens to use less polluting fuel (Ron-98). When it comes to public transport, Jokowi is targeting commuters from the suburbs asking them to make more use of the subway or public buses, to the detriment of private cars.
For more than three years, the Capitoline administration has launched a well-structured public transport system and most people use these means. However. Others are still oriented towards the use of private vehicles or sharing the journey with specific applications such as Grab.
Finally, the president called for more green policies for the entire metropolitan area. Urged on the matter, the interim governor of Great Jakarta Heru Budi Purnomo said that "we have planted at least 216,000 trees in 800 locations".
Interviewed by AsiaNews on the public health emergency, Margaretha Quina - a professional environmental lawyer - says that the recommendations of experts to ensure good air quality in the capital have existed since 1977 and have been revised several times.
"The current problem is how to find the priorities that should be collectively supported by all the parties involved to reduce emissions from the transport, commercial, energy and waste industries" she underlines. In the private sector, “people should raise awareness of the importance of ensuring a clean and green environment,” she concludes.
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31/03/2021 10:32
