TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Air temperatures in Central Java and Yogyakarta have been getting warmer recently. As quoted from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) page bmkg.go.id, BMKG head Dwikorita Karnawati said the air temperatures in the two regions saw an increasing trend over the past 30 years.

It was an uncommon condition since the land area experiences a higher temperature increase than the coastal area. This was reportedly due to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and a high rate of land-use change.

“On a micro basis in the Mount Merapi area, the temperature hike around the area sees an upward trend for the past 30 years by 0.7 degrees Celsius. The temperatures in urban areas monitored from the station also show a rising trend, especially Yogyakarta since 2007,” said Dwikorita on the agency’s official page, Saturday, October 10.

The conclusion was obtained from the results of data collection on average air temperatures for the past 30 years since 1990. BMKG was determined to collect further data from over the past 50 years to observe the significance of temperature changes.

She also explained that the temperature hike in Central Java and Yogyakarta was ecologically affected by changes in the protected area of Mount Merapi, which plays a major role in maintaining the ecological balance in the two provinces.

The temperature hike was also reported in other big cities. Thus, Dwikorita appealed to all parties to respond to the phenomenon as it will affect the survival of humans. She also asked local governments and all stakeholders to make mitigation efforts as a form of responsibility and care for environmental quality.

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NAUFAL RIDHWAN ALY