Climate Concerns Among Young Indonesians

About climate change in Indonesia

Climate change is a current reality with noticeable effects around the world. In Indonesia, these impacts are already being felt, influencing the daily life and the environment. 
Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous nation, as stated in statista.com.

With its 81,000 kilometers of coastline and part of it located on the ring of fire, a string of volcanoes and sites of seismic activity, or earthquakes, Indonesia is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

These impacts include floods, droughts, increasing temperatures, flooding and the rise of sea levels. Indonesia is regarded as the second-ranking country for highest disaster risks in the world and is known for its vulnerability against disasters. 

The Indonesian national disaster agency has said that more than 90 % of the country’s natural disasters over the past decade have been exacerbated by climate change.  

Considering the affected factors by climate change, the living situation gets harder and might even influence the life expectancy, but so far there is no empirical research has yet been conducted to estimate the effect of climate change on life expectancy. 

The climate risk profile of Indonesia by the World Bank shows what the predictions for the future of the climate in Indonesia looks like. They show different factors and evaluate them.

“Does climate change concern you when thinking about the future?”

In a series of interviews, I spoke with 13 individuals in their mid-twenties to early thirties, both male and female, all university graduates working in diverse fields across various cities. The focus was on their opinions about climate change, its impact on their future planning, and whether they would consider relocating due to climate concerns.

The responses were as varied as the participants themselves. While all were aware of the imminent threat of climate change, each person expressed unique concerns based on their respective fields and experiences.

These perspectives collectively highlight the multifaceted nature of climate change concerns among young Indonesian professionals.

Ghitka works for an environmental NGO. Through her work she has experienced the direct effects of climate change, such as frequent flooding due to deforestation and inadequate environmental management.

"I am strongly concerned about concern about climate change. Especially what it means for life expectancy and overall living conditions", says Ghitka.

Despite recognizing these challenges, Ghitka thinks that migration is not yet necessary.

"I think that instead of thinking of moving, we should advocate for habit changes in Indonesia."

Fauzan works in Jakarta and has lived in areas affected by flooding. He feels anxious about the increasing extreme weather and its impact on Indonesia's biodiversity and people's livelihoods.

"My worries about the climate change influence my daily choices, which makes me more eco-conscious," Fauzan explains.

He wants to stay in Indonesia to contribute to solutions and to help build a more resilient future for Indonesia.

"This is my home, where my family, friends, and community reside. Instead of fleeing, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to stay and contribute to solutions."

Hanif  lives in Jakarta and mentioned the unbearable heat and humidity in areas like northern Jakarta, where pollution and growing vehicle numbers make life uncomfortable.

"My consideration of moving away stems primarily from concerns about the affordability of housing in areas that are safe and healthy to live in", Hanif explained when asked about his plans to leave Jakarta.

Devi has lived a significant part of her life in other countries in Asia before she came back to her home country Indonesia. She lives in Jakarta and works in tourism.

"My concerns concerns are with rising sea levels that are threatening the coastal infrastructure and the extreme weather events that could disrupt travel plans and damage tourism-related businesses", Devi says.

For her leaving is not an option. "I believe that by staying, I can contribute to efforts that will help make Indonesia more resilient to the impacts of climate change", Devi explains.

"Indonesia is facing the impacts of climate change, from rising sea levels to extreme weather events, but my love for this country and its people drives me to stay and make a difference."

Alfath lives in Jakarta and experiences severe air pollution, which affects his mental health and causes anxiety about the future.

"I considered moving away due to the disappearing green spaces in Indonesia and the environmental impacts," he says.

Lina has lived in multiple places in Indonesia, all relatively affected by climate change impacts.

Lina has thought about relocating in Indonesia.

"I worry about climate change, specifically the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and their economic impacts, which could make finding a job more difficult", she demonstrates.

Not moving....then what?

The decision to stay where one lives comes with the understanding that changes need to be made today to secure a better tomorrow.

The actions suggested by the interviewees include reducing the use of single-use plastics, opting for public transportation instead of cars or motorbikes, and making conscious choices to change individual habits.

This includes buying fewer new items, such as clothing, or supporting sustainable businesses when purchases are necessary. Additionally, some said that they are planning on raising awareness by supporting local initiatives and engaging in conversations about climate action is crucial.

When I started my project, my focus was on climate change and its impact on migration. My initial approach assumed that people would be actively considering relocating within or outside of Indonesia due to climate concerns. Surprisingly, this was not the case.

It is inspiring to see young people committed to saving their home rather than giving up. Their dedication and resilience in the face of environmental challenges offer hope and a powerful reminder that change begins with the belief and actions of individuals determined to make a difference.

I would like to extend my gratitude to all my interview partners for sharing their valuable insights and personal experiences. Thank you for your time and willingness to engage in this important dialogue.

This story was produced during the Digital Storytelling for Active Citizenship: Empowering Youth through Migration Narratives project coordinated by Cooperative 3E and Migration Matters. The project was funded by the Erasmus+ youth programme, which is funded by the European Union. Neither the EU nor the European Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA) is responsible for the content of this publication. Find out more about Erasmus+ programme.