It’s Lit (in Indonesia)

Climate Change has and will continue to be a big problem in our world; however, the problem is magnified in Indonesia. Currently, more than 800,000 total acres of land has burned up in just this year due to wildfires in Indonesia. It has been the “warmest and driest year” that Indonesia has seen in a few years. Climate change has not only caused major debt, but also unlivable conditions for those living there. Data from NASA shows the extent of the deforestation problem that Indonesia is facing. Click Here: to view NASA’s pictures

A New York Times article explains how some of the fires set are actually deliberate. Due to small farmers and large landholders who are only looking for profit, they are selfishly burning down the forests. Although, Indonesia’s government has been attempting to make efforts into improving their environment,“the government instituted reforms, including a stricter moratorium against forest clearing and a program to restore drained peatlands, which are highly susceptible to burning,” in hopes that protecting/isolating the forests could contain the wildfires and isolate it from those hoping to further modernize, thus reducing the carbon emissions put into the atmosphere. Click Here: to read the rest of the article

Not only has the wildfires affected the geography of Indonesia, it has also affected their way of life. The intensity and wide span of the wildfires have caused excessive pollution, and has released noxious, thick smoke into the atmosphere. Meaning that the breathable air there has become limited. Click Here: to view the urgency of Indonesia Imagine living everyday of your life having the fear that one of these days your oxygen could run out, and people are ignoring it. 

The drastic climate change has devastated many and will continue to occur; however, there are ways to stall and prevent the major effects that will continue throughout time. Consider the following questions what ways could help to further prevent these issues? Is it possible to significantly decrease Carbon emissions in this modern-day era? Could the awareness of recent efforts and events make a significant difference?  If recent efforts haven’t been enough to contain Indonesia’s wildfires, what do you think the next step(s) should be, to maintain a stable environment before the effects become completely irreversible?