Jakarta, Ekuatorial – Ahead of Lima Climate Conference, official said that science and technology related to climate change in Indonesia was still limited. As a result, it had contributed to lack of adaptation and mitigation programs in the country.
“Technology and science are extremely important in dealing with climate change. They will increase country’s vulnerability level towards climate change threats,” said Widiatmini Sihwinanti, secretary of Technology Transfer Working Group of National Council on Climate Change, recently.
Jatna Supriatna, head of Research Center of Climate Change University of Indonesia (RCCC-UI), said science was crucial in mitigation and adaptation. “Talking about mitigation science in Indonesia, it’s still very poor in researches. In addition, there are still academicians do not believe that climate change is happening,” said Supriatna.
He cited on fatal failure to try convert one million peatlands for agriculture by government in New Order era. “It was a huge mistake [to turn peatlands for farming] while only recently we’re doing research on peatlands. We discovered that peatlands are not effective for farming. That’s where science becomes important,” he said.
Furthermore, he said that science and technology related to climate change in Indonesia was still far behind US, Japan, Korea, and Australia. “As an archipelago, Indonesia will experience harsh impacts of climate change. [So] we need to develop science and technology, especially on applied researches,” he said.
On technology transfer, he said it would be a good opportunity for Indonesia, but, it should be followed by qualified human resources. “Technology transfer is good but Indonesia need to recognize how advanced this technology. If it’s too sophisticated, our human resources might not be able to handle it,” he said adding that funding was also become problems in science and technology.
Malika Amril of UNDP Indonesia said that climate change was everyone’s problem and not just the government. “Climate change is in our interests, so every one must contribute to adapt and mitigate climate change,” said Amril citing on increasing natural disasters.
Between 2000 and 2013, flood was recorded as the highest disaster related to climate change with 38.12 percent, followed by hurricane with 21.05 percent, landslide 16.25 percent, drought with 13.11 percent, and other disasters.
Furthermore, Amril said that Indonesia has weak science base and there should be synergy between researchers and government in policy making. “Science and technology are needed [to tackle climate change], then collaboration between government, practitioners, scientists, and other stakeholders in climate change,” Amril said. Januar Hakam
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