UNDIP, Semarang (8/3) – Climate change has become an increasingly urgent global issue. Rising global temperatures and extreme weather conditions are beginning to affect people’s daily lives. One of the main causes is excessive human activity in exploiting natural resources, particularly through industrialization.
According to Dr.Eng. Ir. Bimastyaji Surya Ramadan, S.T., M.T., a lecturer at the Department of Environmental Engineering at Universitas Diponegoro, the industrial sector is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. High emissions from industrial activities have direct environmental impacts, including declining air quality and increased global warming.
Indonesia, as a country actively promoting industrialization, faces serious risks if it fails to control the environmental impacts generated by industry. “Industrial activity is growing rapidly in Indonesia. If it is not properly controlled, we will ultimately bear the consequences ourselves. One clear example is the increasingly unpredictable climate change,” he said.
The government has introduced several mechanisms to address this issue, including PROPER (Public Disclosure Program for Environmental Compliance). This program requires companies to take responsibility for their environmental impacts, including efforts to empower affected communities.
However, he also warned that overly strict regulations could create new challenges, such as job losses. Therefore, the government must act carefully when dealing with companies that violate environmental regulations.
“Communities also depend on industries for their livelihoods. On the other hand, when companies violate regulations, the government cannot immediately shut them down, as it could lead to job losses and social unrest,” Dr.Eng. Ir. Bimastyaji explained.
He emphasized that climate change is not solely the responsibility of industries. Everyone plays a role in either accelerating or mitigating its effects. Therefore, he encouraged the public to adopt more environmentally friendly lifestyles.
“As environmentally aware citizens, we can take many actions, including adopting a green lifestyle that, even in small ways, contributes to reducing the impact of climate change,” he concluded. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Faculty of Engineering Team, adapted from the official website of UNDIP’s Faculty of Engineering)
