Indonesia: Jakarta air pollution blamed for respiratory problems

Al Jazeera English

17 Aug 202302:36

Summary

TLDRJakarta faces severe air pollution, with a thick haze causing health issues for residents. The city consistently ranks as one of the most polluted, with recent weeks showing particularly poor air quality. Activists are urging the government to act, as health centers report a 20% increase in respiratory infections. President Joko Widodo has called for immediate measures, including weather modification for rain. Despite a 2021 court ruling against the government for failing to provide clean air, little progress has been made, leaving Jakarta's 30 million residents at risk.

Takeaways

🌁 The sky above Jakarta has turned a bleak dusty gray due to a thick haze.
😷 Residents are experiencing difficulty breathing and eye irritation from the smog.
🏙️ Jakarta is consistently ranked among the most polluted cities in the world.
🌐 Recent weeks have seen particularly poor air quality with unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter.
👥 Many students are coughing during prayers, indicating the widespread impact of the pollution.
📢 Activists have held demonstrations urging the government to take action against air pollution.
🌿 Environmental groups claim years of inaction by Indonesian authorities are endangering the lives of millions.
🚑 Health centers in south Jakarta report over a 20% increase in patients with acute respiratory infections.
🩺 Pulmonologists are treating more people who are struggling to breathe, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.
🌧️ President Joko Widodo has called for immediate short-term interventions, such as weather modification to improve air quality.
📉 Despite a 2021 court ruling that the government failed to uphold citizens' rights to clean air, there has been little progress.

Q & A

What is the current state of the sky above Jakarta?
-The sky above Jakarta has turned a bleak, dusty gray due to a thick haze that blankets the city.
How are the residents of Jakarta affected by the smog?
-Residents are experiencing difficulty breathing, eye irritation, and are choking in the smog, with some needing to use eye drops when they get home.
What is Jakarta's ranking in terms of air pollution?
-Jakarta consistently ranks among the most polluted cities in the world, often recording unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter.
What actions have been taken by the public to address the air pollution?
-Activists held a demonstration urging the government to take action, highlighting the recurring problem of air pollution in Jakarta.
How does air pollution impact the health of Jakarta's residents?
-Health centers in South Jakarta have reported a more than 20% increase in patients with acute respiratory infections, and pulmonologists are treating more people who are struggling to breathe.
What are the potential long-term health risks associated with the air pollution in Jakarta?
-Air pollution can cause an increasing risk of heart attack and stroke due to the presence of particulate matter in the bloodstream.
What measures has President Joko Widodo suggested to improve air quality?
-President Joko Widodo has called for short-term interventions such as weather modification to induce rain and the implementation of hybrid working arrangements.
What technological solutions are being used to monitor air quality in Jakarta?
-A startup has installed a network of air quality monitors around the city and shares live information on its app.
What legal actions have been taken regarding the government's handling of air pollution?
-In 2021, a Jakarta Court ruled that the government had failed to uphold citizens' rights to clean air, but there has been little progress since then.
What is the current status of the lawsuit filed against the government for failing to address air pollution?
-Attempts by the president and others to appeal the decision are still underway, with no significant action taken to limit air pollution.
How do activists view the living conditions in Jakarta due to air pollution?
-Activists say that living in Jakarta is becoming increasingly hazardous due to the lack of real action to limit air pollution.

Outlines

00:00

🌁 Haze and Smog Crisis in Jakarta

Jakarta is experiencing a severe haze crisis, with the sky turning a dusty gray and a thick smog blanketing the city. Residents are suffering from the effects of air pollution, with many experiencing eye irritation and difficulty breathing. The city consistently ranks as one of the most polluted in the world, with unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter. Recent weeks have seen particularly poor air quality, leading to an increase in respiratory infections. Activists have held demonstrations urging the government to take action. Environmental groups blame years of inaction by Indonesian authorities for endangering the lives of 30 million residents. Health centers in South Jakarta have reported a more than 20% increase in patients with acute respiratory infections. The President, Joko Widodo, has called for a cabinet meeting to discuss pollution and potential solutions, such as weather modification to induce rain and possibly implementing hybrid working arrangements. Despite a 2021 court ruling that the government had failed to uphold citizens' rights to clean air, progress has been minimal, and activists argue that living conditions in Jakarta are becoming increasingly hazardous.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Haze

Haze refers to a visible obscuration of the atmosphere that is not caused by precipitation, but rather by a mixture of smoke, dust, and other dry particles. In the context of the video, Jakarta is experiencing a thick haze that is causing residents to choke in smog, indicating severe air pollution. The haze is so dense that it has turned the sky a 'bleak dusty gray,' affecting visibility and the overall quality of life.

💡Smog

Smog is a type of air pollution that results from the combination of smoke and fog, often exacerbated by high levels of particulate matter and ground-level ozone. The video describes residents of Jakarta 'choking in the smog,' highlighting the detrimental impact on health and the urgency of addressing the pollution issue.

💡Fine particulate matter

Fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, refers to atmospheric particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing significant health risks. The video mentions that Jakarta often records unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter, which is a key indicator of poor air quality.

💡Air quality

Air quality is a measure of the condition of the air in terms of its purity and the potential for adverse health effects. The video script emphasizes the particularly poor air quality in Jakarta, which is a recurring problem and a major concern for the city's residents.

💡Environmental groups

Environmental groups are organizations that work to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices. In the video, these groups are critical of the Indonesian authorities for their inaction on air pollution, suggesting that the government's lack of response is endangering the lives of millions of residents.

💡Acute respiratory infections

Acute respiratory infections refer to infections that affect the respiratory system and have a sudden onset. The video cites data from health centers in South Jakarta indicating an over 20% increase in patients with acute respiratory infections, directly linking the rise to the poor air quality caused by pollution.

💡Weather modification

Weather modification is the deliberate manipulation of atmospheric conditions to induce or prevent certain types of weather. The video mentions President Joko Widodo's call for short-term interventions, including weather modification to induce rain in the Jakarta area, as a potential solution to improve air quality.

💡Hybrid working arrangements

Hybrid working arrangements refer to a flexible work model where employees split their time between working in the office and working remotely. The video suggests that, as a measure to reduce pollution, the government might push for hybrid working arrangements to decrease traffic and emissions in Jakarta.

💡Air quality monitors

Air quality monitors are devices that measure the levels of pollutants in the air. The video mentions a startup that has installed a network of air quality monitors around Jakarta to provide live information on air quality, which is crucial for residents to make informed decisions about their health and safety.

💡Clean air rights

Clean air rights refer to the legal concept that citizens have the right to breathe clean air, which can be upheld or violated by governmental actions. The video notes that a Jakarta court ruled the government had failed to uphold citizens' rights to clean air, indicating a legal recognition of the importance of air quality.

Highlights

Jakarta's sky has turned a bleak Dusty gray due to thick Haze.

Residents are experiencing difficulty breathing and eye irritation.

Jakarta consistently ranks among the most polluted cities globally.

Air quality has been particularly poor in recent weeks.

Activists held a demonstration urging government action on air pollution.

Environmental groups blame years of inaction by Indonesian authorities.

30 million residents' lives are endangered by air pollution.

Health centers report a 20% increase in acute respiratory infections.

Pulmonologists are treating more people struggling to breathe.

Air pollution increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

President Joko Widodo calls for cabinet meeting to discuss pollution.

Weather modification and hybrid working arrangements are suggested solutions.

A startup has installed air quality monitors around Jakarta sharing live data.

Air pollution is solvable with a proper plan and execution.

A Jakarta Court ruled the government failed to uphold clean air rights.

Little progress has been made since the court ruling.

Activists claim living in Jakarta is becoming increasingly hazardous.