Sudirman Said Emphasizes Urgency In Handling Air Pollution At The 'Blue Voices Ambassadors 2024' Event

Sudirman Said. (Photo: Doc. Talk Air)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) for the 2014-2016 period, Sudirman Said emphasized the importance of handling air pollution to improve the quality of people's lives. He stated that untreated air pollution will have a serious negative impact on health and daily life.

"If air pollution is not resolved, the problem will be related to health, waste, things that are negative for our quality of life. We need to take advantage of the transition period of government as an entry point to provide advocacy to policy makers," said Sudirman Said when delivering material at the "Blue Voices Ambassadors 2024" event held by the National Children's Air Foundation, known as Air Talks, at Gordy HQ, East Cilandak, South Jakarta, on Saturday, July 20.

As a speaker, Sudirman emphasized the importance of inviting the entire community to realize and conduct a joint air hygiene campaign.

"We need to encourage the movement to care for air pollution to become a massive social movement. We must invite the whole community to realize or carry out a joint air hygiene campaign and it is very good because of the initiators of young mothers who have a high concern for the quality of life of children and families," he said.

In addition, Sudirman also conveyed the importance of policy consistency and advocacy from the public. According to him, policies that are in line with the highest leadership down to below are very necessary, ranging from the President, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and the Ministry of SOEs to have a vision of synergy to overcome the problem of air pollution.

"First, the policy needs to be returned to its original design, namely to protect the community. Second, the energy transition and also the mobility transition need to be implemented consistently. If in urban public transportation is taken seriously, then this will reduce the use of private vehicles and reduce emissions and pollution. Third, civil society and the private sector need to continue to remind and collaborate with the government," he added.

Meanwhile, Novita Natalia, Co-Founder of Air Talks, also emphasized the important role of parents in the realm of environmental policy.

"Indonesia Gold 2045 is the current government's target. The role of parents in the policy realm is often not involved, even though they are the ones who prepare children to realize gold Indonesia. Through Biru Voices Ambassador, Air Talks provide a forum for parents and community leaders to play an active role in public education, and oversee policies," said Novita.

Parents' anxiety over air pollution is the main background for their involvement in the Biru Voices 2024 event held by Air Talks. The impact of air pollution that disrupts the health of children and families as well as concerns about the quality of the environment today and the future are the main focus of this movement. Policies that do not support the clean environment are one of the concerns that parents often express.

The event was attended by parents and community leaders who are committed to fighting for clean air through the 2024 Blue Voices Ambassadors initiative.