Indonesia: Parts of Jakarta might be under sea by 2030: Official

Antara 12 Sep 13;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Some areas of Jakarta are likely to be submerged by 2030 due to rising sea levels as a result of global warming, according to Chairman of the National Climate Change Council (DNPI) Rachmat Witoelar.

"If the current conditions continue, parts of Jakarta, such as the Ancol area, will sink by 2030, as the sea level is rising at a fast rate," he said here on Thursday, adding that steps must be taken in anticipation of the impact of climate change to prevent the Indonesian capital from sinking.

Rachmat also warned about the negative impact of climate change on the Indonesian people`s health.

"Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi has urged the Indonesian public to increase its awareness of the possible impact of the environmental crisis and climate change on affect their health," he said.

As a metropolitan city, Rachmat continued, Jakarta has contributed in large measure to the environmental degradation in the country by producing a lot of garbage, by causing air pollution through excessive use of automobiles, and by eliminating open green spaces.

However, the former minister added that the government, through DNPI, had been making efforts to minimize the impact of climate change.

Indonesia ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on August 23, 1994.(*)

Editor: Heru