Jakarta – The impacts of climate change are increasingly being felt by communities, especially those in coastal areas, densely populated areas, and weak economic groups, according to researchers in a written statement, Friday, February 21. Changes in extreme weather patterns threaten the availability of food and clean water, which are basic needs for their survival.
Academics from the University of Reading (UK), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), University of the Philippines Los Banos (Philippines), and Mahidol University (Thailand) gathered in Jakarta in a discussion titled “Rural Communication for Equitable Food Security and Environmental Change in Southeast Asia”, which aims to formulate communication strategies that can increase the economic resilience of grassroots communities to the impacts of climate change.
Climate change also impacts social determinants of health, such as food security, availability of adequate housing, and access to safe drinking water. Vulnerable groups consisting of women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and people living in disaster-prone areas face increasing health risks due to erratic climate change.
Associate Professor from the University of Reading, Dr. Sarah Cardey, said the importance of community-based communication in climate change adaptation efforts. “Rural communities need to get information that is easily accessible and based on local needs, with an approach that is inclusive of their gender and social conditions,” Sarah said.
The proposed rural communication strategy rests on four main pillars. First, more equitable distribution of information to raise public awareness. Second, the application of innovative communication methods to support training and knowledge dissemination related to climate change mitigation. Third, community participation should be increased through stronger networks and partnerships. Fourth, advocate for policies that favour vulnerable communities.
As part of this initiative, PT Amartha Mikro Fintek (Amartha), a digital financial service provider focusing on the economic empowerment of grassroots communities, collaborates with academics to develop community-based adaptation solutions. The discussion, which took place on February 17-21, 2025, in Jakarta and Solo, was the first step in designing a more effective and applicable approach for vulnerable communities.
Amartha’s Chief Risk & Sustainability Officer, Aria Widyanto, revealed that climate change significantly impacts rural communities’ livelihoods.
“Extreme weather phenomena can reduce crop yields and worsen food security. Therefore, communities need to be equipped with adequate information and skills to build resilience and adapt to changing conditions,” Aria said.
However, building public awareness about the threat of climate change is not easy. Differences in culture, language, and norms in various regions challenge communication and education efforts. Therefore, a community-based approach that empowers local communities as decision-makers is the primary strategy proposed by the academics.
As part of the discussion, the academics also participated in a workshop and exploration of traditional markets in Solo, which are centres of grassroots economic activity. In this activity, they participated in a batik workshop led by Eny Zaqiyah, owner of Batik Puspa in Laweyan Batik Village, Solo.
The results of the discussions and initiatives designed in this seminar will be presented in the international forum “2025 Asia Grassroots Forum hosted by Amartha” held on May 21-23, 2025, in Bali. The forum will be attended by 1,000 participants from various sectors, including government, entrepreneurs, startups, investors, academics, NGOs, and innovators. This cross-sector collaboration can strengthen the resilience of grassroots communities in facing the challenges of climate change in the future. (Hartatik)
