"Bisakah ekonomi dan lingkungan berjalan beriringan?" - ON CLEAN ENERGY

Summary

This video explores Indonesia's energy crisis, highlighting the country's reliance on fossil fuels and the need to transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources like solar, geothermal, and micro-hydro. The speaker discusses environmental economics, using the concept of 'doughnut economics' to show the balance between social foundations and ecological limits. With Indonesia's energy sector contributing significantly to global emissions, the video calls for policy change, community action, and individual responsibility to drive the shift toward sustainable energy. The importance of youth and academic institutions in this transition is emphasized, alongside practical steps for engaging in clean energy initiatives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia faces a significant energy dilemma, choosing between clean energy (Box A) and fossil-fuel-based energy (Box B).
• 😀 Box A offers a long-term, sustainable energy solution with clean technologies like solar, microhydro, and geothermal, but it requires human adaptation and is more expensive.
• 😀 Box B is cheaper but relies on fossil fuels, leading to harmful environmental consequences like pollution, climate change, and a reduction in human lifespan.
• 😀 Indonesia is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, making up more than 95% of the country's energy mix, despite the global shift toward cleaner energy.
• 😀 The environmental cost of fossil fuels, such as health damage from pollution and climate change, is often not included in economic calculations, leading to market failures known as 'externalities.'
• 😀 Indonesia is one of the top ten largest emitters of CO2, contributing to global climate change through deforestation and reliance on fossil fuels.
• 😀 Despite Indonesia's commitment to increasing clean energy to 23% by 2025, there are significant barriers, including fossil fuel subsidies and policies that hinder clean energy development.
• 😀 Local communities, especially those near fossil fuel plants, are disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental degradation, including increased health problems and natural disasters.
• 😀 Transitioning to clean energy is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity, with new jobs created in sectors like solar, microhydro, and geothermal energy.
• 😀 Individuals, communities, and professionals can contribute to clean energy efforts through personal action, raising awareness, supporting policies, and creating initiatives at local and institutional levels.
• 😀 Systemic change is crucial for Indonesia to shift to clean energy, requiring strong political will and support from governments, businesses, and citizens alike, including policies like carbon taxes and increased investment in renewable energy.

Q & A

What are the two energy solutions presented in the video?

The two energy solutions presented are: Box A, which contains clean energy options such as solar panels, micro-hydro, and geothermal energy, and Box B, which contains fossil fuel-based energy options like coal, which causes pollution.

Why does the government of Indonesia still rely on Box B energy solutions?

Indonesia still relies heavily on Box B (fossil fuel-based) energy due to several factors, including political interests, subsidies for fossil fuels, and a lack of policies that are fully supportive of clean energy. There are also economic and external pressures from coal industry stakeholders.

What concept does the speaker use to explain the relationship between the economy and the environment?

The speaker uses the concept of 'doughnut economics' introduced by Kate Raworth. This model suggests that economic growth should occur within the boundaries of social foundations (inner doughnut) and ecological limits (outer doughnut), ensuring a balance between societal needs and environmental sustainability.

How does the 'doughnut economics' model relate to Indonesia’s energy choices?

The 'doughnut economics' model emphasizes that economic growth should not exceed the environmental limits. In Indonesia’s case, reliance on coal-based energy (Box B) violates the environmental limits, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation, while transitioning to clean energy (Box A) can help maintain both social foundations and ecological sustainability.

What role did the industrial revolution play in the climate crisis according to the video?

The industrial revolution, particularly the use of coal in steam engines, marked the beginning of large-scale production that led to significant emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These emissions have been accumulating in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and its associated disasters.

What is the predicted future impact of energy consumption on Indonesia's emissions?

Energy consumption is predicted to become the largest source of emissions in Indonesia, particularly due to growing population and energy demands. As a result, transitioning to cleaner energy sources is crucial to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and mitigate climate change.

What is an externality, and how does it relate to fossil fuel consumption in Indonesia?

An externality is an unintended side effect or cost of an economic activity that affects third parties. In the case of fossil fuel consumption in Indonesia, externalities include the negative health impacts from pollution, environmental destruction, and the long-term effects of climate change, which are not accounted for in the price of fossil fuels.

How do fossil fuel-based industries impact local communities in Indonesia?

Fossil fuel-based industries, such as coal mining, often harm local communities by increasing their vulnerability to environmental disasters like landslides and contributing to poor health outcomes due to pollution. These communities tend to bear the brunt of the negative impacts, even though the industries profit.

What is the 'Jawa Tengah Solar Province' initiative, and why is it important?

The 'Jawa Tengah Solar Province' initiative aims to increase the share of clean energy, particularly solar power, in the region’s energy mix. This initiative is important because it aligns with Indonesia’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources, setting a role model for other provinces.

What are the three levels of action individuals and communities can take to help combat climate change?

The three levels of action are: 1) Personal action, such as reducing carbon footprints by using public transport, consuming less, and supporting energy-efficient products; 2) Community action, such as raising awareness and organizing local events or initiatives to promote clean energy; and 3) Systemic action, which involves pushing for policy changes and supporting political leaders who prioritize climate action and clean energy.