TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - According to an official at the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Ministry, there are three indicators suggesting that the effects of climate change have occurred in Indonesia.
Arif Havas Oegroseno, deputy of maritime sovereignty at the Coordinating Maritime Affairs Ministry, explained at the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Conference, “There are three impacts [of climate change]: the rising sea levels, ruined coral reefs, and the poor conditions of mangrove’s seagrass beds.”
Read: Climate Change and Our Oceans
Based on a report by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), almost 30 percent of Indonesia’s coral reefs are in a poor state as a result of a rise in the sea water temperature. Meanwhile, many seagrass beds in mangrove forests are beginning to be affected by abrasion.
“The situation we are facing is similar to problems that other international small-island countries are facing,” said Arif.
Read: Scientists Seek Way to Counter Climate Change by Coral Reefs Test
He admits that ocean problems are still underestimated globally, despite its large role in the preservation of humanity.
Indonesia, together with the UNDP initiated the Archipelagic and Island States/AIS Conference that was participated by delegations from countries such as, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Cuba, Cyprus, Fiji, Indonesia, and Japan. The conference was held in Jakarta on November 21 and 22 as an attempt to face the changes caused by climate change.
ANTARA
