Environmental Education Since Early Childhood, The Key To Saving Earth In The Future

JAKARTA - The increasingly uncertain weather, the sudden heat has turned into heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, is now often referred to as the impact of climate change. However, the impact itself is difficult to feel directly.

"The weather is getting hotter, suddenly heavy rain, storms, winds, now people say the impact of climate change. The impact of climate change itself is like what can't be captured, invisible, invisible," said Dr. Jo Kumala Dewi, M.Sc., Head of the Center for Environmental Generation Development (PPGLH), Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), when met at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

Jo Kumala emphasized that climate change is not because of 'natural anger', but the result of human behavior itself.

"It's not natural to be angry to be a storm. Based on research, this is from the actions of humans themselves. Behavior that is less environmentally friendly," he said.

Changing human habits is not an easy thing, especially if you are used to littering or not sorting waste for a long time.

"How to change human behavior? Of course it is difficult, especially when the elderly are not used to putting inorganic and organic waste. You have to think first so you get used to it," he said.

As an effort to establish new habits that are environmentally friendly from an early age, the government continues to promote the Adiwiyata program, namely environmental-based education programs implemented in schools.

"The Adiwiyata program encourages schools from elementary, junior high, high school/vocational schools so that the curriculum is environmentally-based, the facilities and infrastructure are also environmentally friendly. There are forms, such as hydroponic plants. It is physically easier to see. But without realizing it, students can litter," explained Jo Kumala.

More than 300 thousand schools in Indonesia, but only about 10 percent have actively participated in the Adiwiyata program.

"The future of our generation is facing a changing environment, so it must start as early as possible," he added.

For this reason, today the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through PPGH, in collaboration with the Bakti Barito andLabSosio University of Indonesia, launched two new measuring instruments, namely School Environmental Care Behavior Instruments (IPPLHS), and School Environmental Care and Culture Program Instruments (IPPBLHS).

These two instruments are designed to help schools evaluate the extent to which environmental care behavior has been applied by students and all school residents. Jo Kumala explained that the indicators were adjusted to the level of education.

"For elementary school students, the indicators focus on basic understanding and simple behavior observed in schools. For junior high schools, the indicators are more complex with an understanding and active participation. As for high school, it is even more complex, emphasizing critical thinking and the ability to act real," he explained.

"Through this measuring tool, we can see if the environmental education we provide is effective, and can be used as the basis for future decisions," he added.

Dian A. Purbasari, Director of Bakti Barito, emphasized the importance of objective measuring instruments.

"We need objective measuring tools and can show tangible results so that all stakeholders in the ecosystem can see and feel objective evaluation, so that they can improve their performance in a directed manner," he explained.

He also said that the initial pilot test of this measuring instrument had been carried out last year at several elementary schools in West Java.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sulastri Sardjo from the research teamLabSosio UIsaid that a data-based approach is very important in building cross-sectoral cooperation.

"With a data-based approach, we can strengthen cooperation between schools, governments, social institutions, and campuses. The goal is one, to produce a generation that really cares about the environment." he said.

With the start of the use of these two measuring tools, it is hoped that the Adiwiyata program can become more measurable, effective, and reach more schools throughout Indonesia. Because the future of the earth depends on the younger generation who are used to living side by side from the start and protecting the environment wisely.