Environmental issues should be priority of the candidates

Wiryono ,  Bengkulu   |  Thu, 07/02/2009 9:01 AM  |  Opinion

Environmental issues are definitely not new to our government but it is ironic that none of the three presidential candidates have made environmental issues a crucial part of their agenda.
All of them focus, rather, on economic issues and pledge to create prosperity for Indonesia and its
people.

Their emphasis on prosperity is not surprising, though, given that many Indonesians still have to struggle just to meet basic daily needs.

Even the middle class finds it hard to afford the best education for their children; entrance fees for the most popular departments at the best state universities is beyond even their reach. The financial crisis makes the lives of the poor even more difficult.  

For many people, reaching short term economic goals is the driving force or even objective of their lives. To get elected, politicians have to convince people they will do their best to improve their economic situation.

Although in the last five years we experienced many ecological disasters, we quickly forget them. We suffer from terminal myopia; we have difficulty looking beyond our urgent needs.  

Those living near rivers experience periodic floods but soon forget that clogged sewers and rivers worsen the problem. They still throw garbage to sewers and rivers because it is the easiest way.

Farmers living in mountainous areas have experienced landslides, but they continue clear cutting forest on steep hills to make way for crops.

Again, they forget the likelihood of future disasters to meet their urgent need for money.

Even if people realize that what they do is bad for the environment, they may still do it. If a person has to pay to get their garbage taken to a landfill, while their neighbor throws garbage into the sewer for free, they will soon stop paying for the service. Likewise, if a farmer refrains from clear-cutting on a steep hill, other farmers will do it instead; he must clear cut if he can. Every farmer takes advantage of the land while it is still there.     

This is what is called the tragedy of the commons: everybody tries to get the most resources they can for themselves while they are available. If tragic ecological disasters that bring immediate economic consequences are forgotten so soon, how can we expect people to anticipate abstract environmental disasters such as the loss of biodiversity and global warming?  Until now only a very limited number of people have shown genuine concern for environmental issues. For the average Indonesians, the environment is not of daily concern.  

Those of us who know and are concerned about environmental problems must work hard to prevent the tragedy of the commons by any means necessary. Education is the most important and primary task, but it is not enough.  We must also ensure that the laws are strictly enforced.

Educating rural people on the importance of preserving conservation forest will be futile unless those who commit illegal logging are punished. So far, many violators of environmental law have not been punished  properly.     

Insufficient education, poverty and lax law enforcement are serious threats to the environment. It will take years and it may be too late before the majority of Indonesians realize that our survival on earth depends on how well we take care of it. Educating people on the principles of ecology will be a life-long process and requires relentless efforts. But we must not give up. If we do, further ecological disasters are bound to occur.    


The writer is the head of the Forestry Department at the University of Bengkulu.

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