Saving the Ocean's Invisible Forests

The ocean is at the front line of mitigating the climate crisis. Making up over 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean plays a crucial role in controlling the global climate system through, among other processes, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In the run-up to World Oceans Day on June 8, we’re looking at how as well as polluting the planet and killing animals, plastic waste is also reducing the ability of phytoplankton to absorb atmospheric carbon.

Traditional nutmeg farmers in Fakfak is harvesting sunshine from their villages

After installing solar panels for the drying facilities, traditional farmers in Fakfak can now manage their nutmeg harvests in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. The solar-powered drying facilities can reduce the risk of aflatoxin contamination and improve the quality of nutmeg harvests with smaller carbon footprints. Renewable energy is powering far-flung forest villages in Kokas District, Fakfak, West Papua. The nutmeg farmers at the villages, namely Patimburak Village and Pangwadar Villa

Second life for plastic waste? Don’t count on it

It seems that people believe recycling is the most plausible answer to the plastic problem, which is a headache for people all over the world. We usually assume that all the waste we toss into bins will be properly recycled into new and useful products. But in reality, things are not as simple as we would like them to be. We know that existing systems and technologies have yet to work together to properly manage all waste. The global plastic waste crisis remains unresolved.

Why electric vehicles have yet to rev up

As part of the effort to replace fossil fuels with cleaner energy, Indonesia has been pushing for the development of electric vehicles (EVs). In August, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo issued a regulation that aims to spur the EV industry. The expected impact has yet to be seen. The local EV industry is still at its infancy. Electric motorcycles were introduced long before the regulation was issued, yet electric cars are still lagging way behind. E-cars are currently imported, finding a niche market among the super wealthy.