Indonesia Faces Triple Planetary Crisis, Minister Hanif Faisol: This is No Longer a World Issue

JAKARTA - Minister of Environment (LH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated that Indonesia is currently in the vortex of a triple planetary crisis or three major global crises, namely the climate crisis, the pollution crisis, and the waste crisis.

He made the statement during a Clean River Action and tree planting activity in the Cikeas River, Sentul, Babakanmadang District, Bogor Regency, West Java, Sunday, coinciding with the commemoration of the 2026 National Waste Care Day (HPSN).

"We are really in the vortex of a triple planetary crisis. This is no longer a world issue, it has become a real challenge that we face day by day," said Hanif as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, February 15.

He referred to UNFCCC data which recorded the global temperature in 2024 as the hottest in history, with an increase of 1.4 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial period.

"This 1.4 degree temperature increase has a very significant impact on tropical countries like Indonesia. Extreme rainfall, hydrometeorology, flooding, and sea level rise have become new patterns, no longer anomalies," he said.

Hanif also highlighted the condition of rivers in Indonesia which he said no one had really been free from garbage pollution.

"As long as I am in charge, there is almost no river in our country that is completely clean of garbage, both plastic and other waste. This is our big job together," he said.

According to him, most of the marine waste originates from land and rivers, so the handling must start from upstream.

"Marine litter starts with river trash. From the land that falls into the river and then into the sea and exacerbates the climate crisis. Therefore, we must move upstream," he said.

Hanif added that the government was strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration, including through the National Plastic Action Plan and synergy with various international parties.

On the same occasion, Deputy Secretary General for Economy of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Central Hazuarli Halim assessed that the environmental crisis cannot be separated from the moral and religious responsibility of the community.

"It has been evident that there is damage on land and at sea as a result of human hands. Therefore, we must maintain the balance of the environment that God has created," said Hazuarli.

He emphasized that throwing garbage carelessly, especially into rivers, lakes, and seas, had been fatwanned by the MUI as haram because it was harmful to life and health.

"Maintaining the environment is a duty and rewarding, while polluting the environment is haram and sinful. This must be a collective awareness," he said.

Hazuarli added that the religious approach is expected to strengthen the national waste management movement, especially through literacy in mosques and dakwah activities so that changes in public behavior occur sustainably.