Green fest plans educational fun

Mariani Dewi ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 04/18/2008 10:04 AM  |  National

It is cool to be green. This is what organizers of the upcoming Green Festival want people to find out.

The event, to be held April 18-20 at Senayan eastern park, Jakarta, will show how global warming relates to everyone and how people can help reduce it.

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has not only increased global temperatures, but has also directly caused the spread of diseases. WHO estimates that around two million people die of air pollution-related diseases annually.

People in Jakarta, who only have 45 days of good air quality a year, are at risk. Yet many are unaware they suffer the risks and that they contribute to this phenomenon.

"Some people believe global warming is not related to them. So we try to let show how it is applicable to them and what they can do in their daily lives to reduce it," Nugroho Yudho, the chief Green Initiative Forum, which hosts the event, said Wednesday.

Visitors will be greeted by a warm entrance in zone A, simulating temperatures if global warming continues. The rest of the space will be cooled by environmentally friendly air conditioners. The displays will illustrate both the causes and impacts of global warming.

Entering zone B, guests can roam a big environmentally friendly show-house, including kitchen, bathroom and garage, to see ways their family can save energy and cut their carbon emissions. Simple acts, like switching off electronic devices, decomposing rubbish and walking, help reduce greenhouse gases.

At the end will be the bazaar, a playground and a performance stage where children and famous musicians will perform.

"We have to make green-living a lifestyle. It will increase our quality of life," Farhan, an environmentally aware celebrity, said.

The festival is a collaboration of state oil and gas company Pertamina, Unilever consumer goods producer, Kompas daily, Metro TV television station, and FeMale radio. The three media groups said they have banded together in order to send a more effective message home.

Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar will open the event Friday. On Sunday, Minister of Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman will cycle around the area before joining tree planting activities. The organizers said they tried to offset the carbon produced during the event by planting trees around the area.

A  |   A  |   A  |    |   |    |    |    |  

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.