Clean air can’t wait
As millions choke on toxic air, the real threat to Indonesia’s lungs isn't just distant wildfires—it's the coal plants and industrial polluters running unchecked right next door.
Millions of people in Indonesia are suffering from severe respiratory infections, with the number of cases rising sharply this year. While intense wildfires in Sumatra and Kalimantan contribute to the problem, the true threat is the unchecked emissions from coal plants and industries near Indonesia's populated areas. Java, especially West Java and West Java, accounts for the majority of the cases, with over 1.8 million recorded in West Java alone.
The pollution comes from coal-fired power plants and hundreds of factories, which release toxic air across provincial boundaries. A joint study by research organizations identified the Suralaya coal complex in Banten as the most hazardous facility, with the potential to cause up to 156,000 premature deaths if it continues operating until 2050.
The Indonesian Energy Ministry's plan for transitioning to clean energy is inadequate, as it treats coal power plant closures as optional rather than mandatory. This negligence is detrimental to public health and the environment.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Clean air can’t wait thejakartapost.com
