The National Council on Climate Change (DNPI) predicts that half of Jakarta will be under water by 2030 due to global warming.
DNPI executive chairman Rachmat Witoelar said on Thursday that global warming could cause sea levels to increase significantly.
"If we allow this situation to continue, then by around 2030, half of Jakarta, specifically areas such as Ancol, will be under water," he said in Jakarta on Thursday, as quoted by Antara news agency.
Rachmat said that certain measures had to be taken in order to contain and anticipate the impacts of climate change.
He said big cities such as Jakarta contributed significantly to environmental damage, caused by garbage, air pollution from vehicles, tree-cutting activities and decline in open green spaces due to land conversion.
"Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi has asked people to become more aware of environmental problems and climate change because all these issues will negatively impact people's health," said Rachmat.
He added that people had to increase awareness on the need to protect themselves from the impact of global warming by keeping the environment green, maintaining cleanliness, and reducing air pollution.
Rachmat said that the government through the DNPI has continued to tackle the multiple impacts of climate change.
Recently, the DNPI launched a book titled "Climate Change and Challenges of the Nation's Civilization".
Rachmat said Indonesia has discussed efforts on how to improve the global environment, which was also related to the state of domestic environment.
"Indonesia ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Aug.23, 1994. As an active UN member country, Indonesia has played an active role in tackling environment crisis," he said. More
