As a young person living amid the hustle and bustle of the Greater Jakarta (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi), I feel anxious about the real impact of the climate crisis. This is particularly true in Bogor, which is located at a higher altitude than Jakarta, where rainwater tends to flow downstream and cause flooding due to the lack of absorbing soil and vegetation. On the other hand, public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation in Indonesia remains very low, increasing the vulnerability of these species to extinction.

These two issues form the backdrop for the establishment of PRIMALI Berdaya, a youth organization focused on environmental and community issues. I founded this organization with two friends during our final year of undergraduate studies. The idea for PRIMALI Berdaya, an acronym for Program Integrasi Masyarakat dan Lingkungan Berdaya (Community and Environment Empowerment Integration Program), was first proposed in a competition organized by a university in Surabaya. Initially, this initiative was only intended as a solution for the government. However, with the advice and encouragement of our professors and researchers, the initiative evolved into a youth movement focused on the Greater Jakarta area.

Why is this important?

Indonesia is known as a country with extraordinary biodiversity, earning it the title of one of the world's megabiodiverse countries. This wealth is certainly a shared responsibility to be protected and preserved. Unfortunately, this diversity is now facing various threats, ranging from irresponsible human behavior to the impact of the worsening climate crisis.

On the other hand, Indonesia has a significant demographic bonus, particularly among the younger generation. According to the 2020 Population Census, Generation Z and Millennials dominate the population. These two generations have grown up in the digital age, possessing creative and innovative thinking to address various challenges.

With the presence of an abundant young generation that is increasingly aware of environmental issues, this potential can be maximized to spread awareness among the community. Moreover, young people are also the group directly affected by the climate crisis. Therefore, they have a key role in shaping and teaching the next generation to care more about and love the earth.

Organizational Work

Since its establishment in 2022, PRIMALI Berdaya has focused on environmental education for children and teenagers. We address various issues, ranging from wildlife conservation to plastic waste reduction. To date, over 500 children and teenagers in the Greater Jakarta area have been reached through our environmental education programs, which we conduct at various educational institutions and alternative learning spaces, from formal schools to community reading centers, and from Depok, West Java, to Tangerang, Banten.

The methods we use are participatory, with a game-based approach to help children and teenagers better understand and absorb information. Additionally, we leverage special months, such as Ramadan, as an opportunity to combine environmental education with sharing activities for children and teenagers at various foundations.

Furthermore, we supported online activities by creating digital campaigns, webinars, and workshops to reach a broader young audience. This included recruiting digital volunteers and holding poster competitions, successfully engaging 220 participants in digital activities. Through our slogan, “Empowered Communities, Environment, and Wildlife Conservation,” we emphasize that people, the environment, and wildlife are interconnected within the ecosystem.

Young people play a central role in spreading awareness about the environment. This role will have a positive long-term impact, both on human life and the sustainability of the Earth. Now is the time for young people to speak up and take action for a better future for the Earth.