Indonesia: UNEP
Renewable Energy
Our world today is facing many problems in the matters of conserving natural
resources and finding new sources for energy. We are a planet that is very dependent
upon all types of energy in order to live our lives. We need to find new ways to use
energy to its highest potential and renew it whenever possible. Although we are trying
our hardest to conserve all of our resources, especially in the category of energy, we need
to find new ways to use, renew, and use again the energy that we have. We need to make
sure that it is available for use to the majority of the population and that people are
educated about it and know how much it can help all countries. Renewable energy is the
answer to several problems in our world today, including climate change and limited
resources. If used worldwide, it could reduce greenhouse gases and other pollution
problems along with improving the economy in several countries.
We, the country of Indonesia view this as a very important issue that needs to be
dealt with and not put off. Although there are several problems in our world that may
seem more urgent and important to the future, this world will not have a future if we use
our energy sources frivolously and leave nothing for future generations. Renewable
energy uses the world’s increasingly limited resources in the best way possible. It uses
natural sources, such as wind, water and the sun to generate power. Our country has
already taken several actions in response to this new energy source and we have been
able to use it in many ways. Our Clean Development Mechanisms scheme (CDM)
strongly encourages renewable energy sources. It offers alternatives to fossil fuel and
shows the positive outcomes of using renewable energy instead to fossil fuels. Although
our country used to rely heavily upon fossil fuels for energy, we have realized how
quickly these are being depleted and have begun to use more renewable energy. One
project we have been working on is the “Solar Home System” project that gives energy to
remote areas through solar power. We are also in the process of coming up with plans to
use more hydroelectric and geothermal power. Indonesia has taken great strides in recent
years that have helped our country both environmentally and economically.
We believe that every country on the planet has plenty of potential to use different
types of renewable energy. Some countries may use geothermal energy and others may
use wind energy. It depends upon what resources each country has and the best way that
they can utilize those resources to create renewable energy. There are hundreds of ways
that renewable energy can be used. By having each country use it in whatever ways they
can, we can create better and more efficient energy while becoming less reliant on fossil
fuels. In order to increase the use of renewable energy, we need to increase its
competitiveness and reduce trade barriers. By doing this, we can create opportunities for
renewable energy to be used in both developed and developing countries. Renewable
energy is extremely important and needs to be used as much as possible wherever
possible because it will provide so many good things for countries throughout the world.
Indonesia: UNEP
Climate Change
As a people of the world, we inherited the earth from those who preceded us and
will pass on its potential wealth and abundance to the many generations whom will
proceed us. However, there is a particular equilibrium necessary to sustain the Earth’s
environmental wellbeing; this equilibrium has been disrupted by a lack of environmental
awareness, consumerism, global warming, rapid industrialization and economic
development, the destruction of non-renewable, natural resources as well as several other
contributing factors. What we are giving back to the Earth does not yield to what we have
taken. The effect that the later have on the environment cannot be contained in a
particular area and thus universally affect all countries, regions, and social classes around
the globe. The future wellbeing of the Earth’s climate is essential for peace, prosperity,
and cooperation amongst all nations.
We, the country of Indonesia, are particularly concerned with the issue of climate
change because of its damaging effects on our country’s rich biodiversity. Our country’s
climate suffers from high population rates, rapid industrialization and recent economic
development. Deforestation, land degradation, and the over-exploitation of natural
resources largely contribute to wildfires; the endangerment of species, flora, and fauna;
and trends of the El Nino Effect, soil erosion, and flooding among others. The climate
becomes of even more concern in regards to our efforts to stem poverty. A majority of
our country’s population is either employed in an industry or subsides on agricultural,
fishing, forestry, or urban industries often negatively impacted by climate change. We
began to engender a change by adhering to the Kyoto Protocol which sought the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In conjunction with the National Plan for Climate
Change and the Bali Action Plan, we have also forged political partnerships devoted to
promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Technologies such as the
micro-hydro and the micro-turbine cogeneration (MCT) and the implementation of a
national rural electrification program have not only ensured the reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions and more reliable and renewable energy resources, but have also
contributed to the positive development of the economy and community awareness
efforts to promote the wellbeing of the environment. Programs such as the Small Grants
Program for Operations to Promote Tropical Forests (SGP-PTF) and Global Environment
Facility’s Small Grants Program (GEF-SGP) have also encouraged community efforts to
mitigate climate change.
Within the past decades, issues such as government instability and poverty have
taken precedence over Indonesia’s environmental issues. However, it must be recognized
that the environment directly affects the social and economic foundations of Indonesia
and thus deserves the attention of both its government as well as outside nations,
developed or developing. Efforts to regulate illegal as well as legal agricultural and
industrial proceedings must be undertaken to ensure the protection of Indonesia’s
biodiversity. The biodiversity and more efficient agricultural techniques can also be
utilized to shift the economy so that it is not dependent upon its limited natural resources.
Awareness on a national level will also likely engender a more prevalent change.