Jakarta -The head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, emphasised that global climate change is a real threat. She said this condition has triggered widespread concern, including in Indonesia, which, although not yet in the critical zone, still faces significant challenges to food security and water availability.
“The increase in global temperature every year is a fact that cannot be ignored. The impact is global and directly affects local conditions such as a higher risk of drought,” Dwikorita said in a written statement Friday, December 13.
The year 2023 has been characterised as a strong El Niño period, while 2024 is expected to be a transition period to the La Nina phenomenon. El Niño, characterised by warmer sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, exacerbates drought risk in various regions, including Indonesia. Dwikorita explained that this impact is more pronounced in the agricultural sector, where farmer groups are among the most vulnerable.
BMKG has organised a Climate Field School to help people face the challenges of climate change. The training aims to teach farmers about water resource management and cropping pattern adjustments based on accurate climate information.
BMKG warns that Indonesia’s dependence on increasingly limited water resources, population growth, and urbanisation could worsen the situation if not immediately anticipated.
According to BMKG’s latest data, some regions in Indonesia are even showing indications of declining groundwater discharge and increasing domestic and industrial water demand. This could trigger resource conflicts if not addressed with the right policies.
Dwikorita emphasised the need for collective efforts to raise awareness and concrete actions to deal with climate change. (Hartatik)
