An Intergenerational Call to Solve Complex Coastal Problems | Swietenia Puspa Lestari | TEDxJakarta

Summary

The speaker shares a personal journey of discovering and advocating for marine conservation in Indonesia. They highlight the importance of protecting ocean ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves, emphasizing local community involvement in waste management and sustainable practices. Through their organization, they work to reduce plastic pollution and educate people on environmental responsibility. The speaker stresses that addressing complex environmental issues requires systemic change and cross-generational collaboration, encouraging small but widespread actions to drive impactful, lasting solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scuba diving in Indonesia is a heavenly experience, but many locals haven't tried it yet, despite its global appeal.
• 😀 The speaker founded 'Diverse Clean Action' to engage in marine conservation and gain international recognition and support.
• 😀 In 2003, the speaker was introduced to diving through their father's work in the Thousand Islands, sparking their passion for the ocean.
• 😀 Many people in urban areas, like the speaker's childhood in South Jakarta, are unaware of the beauty and importance of the ocean.
• 😀 The deterioration of marine ecosystems, like the loss of coral reefs and fish species, is a major concern that needs immediate action.
• 😀 To address marine pollution, the speaker highlights the importance of community-based action, education, and innovative solutions.
• 😀 One key challenge is waste management; people often don't know how to properly dispose of or recycle ocean-bound waste.
• 😀 The speaker worked with local communities to introduce waste management systems and eco-friendly practices, including plastic-free initiatives.
• 😀 The initiative helped empower women in villages by introducing them to sustainable businesses that reduce single-use plastic consumption.
• 😀 The speaker's efforts were endorsed by local governments, contributing to systemic change and policy support for environmental protection.
• 😀 The message emphasizes the importance of generational solutions to climate change, highlighting that even small, local actions contribute to global change.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to get involved in ocean conservation?

The speaker's interest in ocean conservation began when they first experienced scuba diving in Indonesia and witnessed the destruction of coral reefs and marine life. Their father's work in the Thousand Islands, which exposed them to the beauty of the ocean and the threats it faced, also played a key role in their motivation.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of scuba diving in Indonesia?

The speaker highlights scuba diving in Indonesia as a heavenly experience, noting that many foreigners come specifically to dive there. However, the speaker is concerned that not enough locals engage in the activity, despite its potential to raise awareness about the ocean's beauty and fragility.

What was the speaker's attitude towards the ocean when they were younger?

As a child, the speaker was initially fearful of the ocean and saw it as a mysterious and intimidating place. Their early experiences, including diving in the Thousand Islands, helped them develop a deep connection with the ocean.

What is 'Diverse Clean Action,' and what is its mission?

'Diverse Clean Action' is an organization and platform founded by the speaker to carry out marine conservation activities. The organization's mission is to protect marine ecosystems and raise awareness about ocean pollution, gaining international recognition and support for its efforts.

What did the speaker's father advise them regarding making a difference?

The speaker's father advised them to get involved in the system if they wanted to make a change, rather than just commenting online as a 'netizen.' This advice led the speaker to study environmental engineering and later take action through their conservation efforts.

How did the speaker's background in environmental engineering shape their approach to ocean conservation?

The speaker's background in environmental engineering led them to view environmental issues, including ocean pollution, as systemic problems. They began by analyzing the sources of waste and learning about appropriate technologies to address waste management in coastal areas.

What role does mangrove conservation play in the speaker's efforts?

Mangrove conservation is crucial because mangrove trees absorb much more carbon than terrestrial trees. The speaker is concerned about the damage to mangrove forests, as they are often threatened by pollution and deforestation, which impacts both the environment and the local communities.

What innovative solutions has the speaker's organization implemented to address waste management?

The organization has worked with local communities, particularly women, to educate them about waste reduction and recycling. They also introduced zero-packaging products and bulk sales to reduce single-use plastics and created opportunities for income generation from waste management.

How did the speaker's initiatives improve waste recycling rates in local communities?

Through door-to-door education and awareness campaigns, the recycling rates in local communities increased by 3 to 10 times within 6 months to a year. The speaker's efforts focused on practical, community-driven solutions that also addressed economic benefits.

What is the significance of systemic change in addressing ocean pollution and climate change?

The speaker emphasizes that complex issues like ocean pollution and climate change require systemic changes, and these changes can start with small, localized actions that spread across different communities. They also stress the importance of cross-generational solutions, where current actions lay the groundwork for future generations.