Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, has been ranked as the world’s most polluted major city by air quality monitoring firm IQAir, surpassing other heavily polluted cities such as Riyadh, Doha, and Lahore. The city has consistently recorded high levels of air pollution, particularly in terms of tiny particles known as PM2.5, which can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. This pollution is a significant environmental health risk, contributing to an estimated seven million premature deaths each year.
President Joko Widodo has acknowledged the severity of the problem and has plans to address it. He intends to reduce the burden on Jakarta by relocating the capital to Nusantara on Borneo island next year. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of completing a planned metro train network across Jakarta to help alleviate pollution.
The impact of the pollution on residents’ lives and health cannot be ignored. Many people have reported wearing masks regularly to protect themselves, while others have experienced respiratory problems and illnesses. In 2021, a court ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by activists and citizens against the government, ordering President Widodo to take action to clean up the city’s air pollution. The court found that the government, including top officials, had been negligent in protecting residents from the harmful effects of pollution.
Indonesia has made commitments to tackle air pollution, including pledging to stop building new coal-fired power plants from 2023 and aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, there have been concerns raised by activists regarding the expansion of the Suralaya coal plant on Java island, one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Greenpeace Indonesia has pointed out that there are 10 operating coal-fired power plants within a 100-kilometer radius of Jakarta.
The situation in Jakarta underscores the urgent need for effective measures to combat air pollution and improve air quality. The government’s efforts to reduce pollution levels and promote sustainable energy sources are crucial in addressing this pressing issue. As the world’s most polluted major city, Jakarta serves as a stark reminder of the detrimental impact of air pollution on public health and the imperative to prioritize cleaner and more sustainable practices for the well-being of its residents and the environment.
