10-8-2023 (JAKARTA) Jakarta, the bustling Indonesian capital, has taken an alarming lead as the world’s most polluted major city, according to air quality monitoring company IQAir. This dubious distinction underscores the city’s struggle with a surge in hazardous smog, casting a spotlight on the dire consequences of unchecked air pollution.
Air pollution is a grave concern, with an estimated 7 million premature deaths attributed to its effects each year. The United Nations has classified it as the most significant environmental health risk globally.
The sprawling megalopolis of Jakarta and its environs, home to approximately 30 million people, has outpaced other heavily polluted cities, including Riyadh, Doha, and Lahore, in terms of the concentration of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. For consecutive days this week, Jakarta has held the top spot in IQAir’s pollution ranking, a daily record confirmed by an AFP tally. The US Air Quality Index (AQI) reading as of midday Thursday was 152, far exceeding the threshold of 100 considered unhealthy.
Jakarta has routinely recorded “unhealthy” levels of PM2.5, fine particles that can permeate airways, leading to respiratory ailments. These levels consistently surpass the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization.
President Joko Widodo addressed the issue on Monday, revealing his intentions to address pollution by alleviating “Jakarta’s burden.” The country’s capital is set to shift to Nusantara, a new city under development on Borneo Island, next year. President Widodo also stressed the importance of completing a planned metro train network across Jakarta to curb pollution.
Residents have voiced grievances over the detrimental effects of industrial smog, traffic congestion, and coal-powered plants on their well-being and health. Anggy Violita, a 32-year-old office worker, shared her ordeal, saying, “I have to wear a mask all the time. Both my body and my face are suffering.” She added, “Last week, my entire family was sick for a week, and the doctor advised me to stay indoors.”
In a significant development in 2021, a court ruled in favour of a lawsuit filed by activists and citizens against the government. The court ordered President Widodo to address the notorious air pollution in the city, citing negligence on the part of top officials in safeguarding residents.
While Indonesia has made pledges to cease constructing new coal-fired power plants from 2023 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, concerns linger. Activists have voiced their opposition to the expansion of the massive Suralaya coal plant on Java Island, one of Southeast Asia’s largest. According to Greenpeace Indonesia, the capital is surrounded by 10 coal-fired power plants operating within a 100-kilometre radius.
The prevailing pollution crisis in Jakarta serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat air pollution and protect public health. As efforts to address this critical issue continue, the city’s future hangs in the balance, poised to determine the fate of its environment and the well-being of its inhabitants.
