article

Name : Kesuma Kurniadi

NIM : 2007110501

Polluted Air Matters

As a beautiful country, Indonesia contains many tourist attractions, starting from the history, people, cultures, food, etc. Unfortunately in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta as the capital city, has a ‘never ending’ traffic jam problem which causing air pollution and it’s increasing rapidly from time to time. The high rate of pollution mostly caused from public transportations. However, due to the cost, it is very difficult to modify the transportation to be echo friendly. There are several ways that the government could do in order to solve this problem: replace gasoline with hydrogen fuel, cut the numbers of public transportation in certain areas and prohibit public transportations that are not feasible to operate.

Most people in Jakarta recognize bajaj, angkot and buses are the main public transportations that caused air pollution due to the fact that the uses of gasoline as their fuel. Gasoline fuel usually contains nitrogen-oxide and carbon monoxide which definitely threaten our health. In fact, we inhale polluted air every single day. Thus, the government needs to replace the gasoline with hydrogen fuel in public transportation. They could start from establish a hydrogen fuel station instead of gas station. Then, they could try to demonstrate to several bajaj, angkot and buses in order to socialize that hydrogen fuel has the same utility as gasoline and it’s also more environmental friendly.

Next, people who live in Jakarta will notice there are too many areas in Jakarta that are fill with public transportation and this condition is absolutely caused air pollution. For that reason, the government could try to cut the numbers of public transportation in certain areas. For examples, if there are 60 angkot being used in Ciledug, the government would have to control only 30-45 angkot that would be able to operate. However, because of this situation, some angkot will be idle. Therefore, the government should have to create a schedule for each route into three shifts, morning, afternoon and evening. Then, the government should decide how many angkot that would be able to operate in one area. For examples, if there are 60 angkot that is being used in Ciledug in a day, then, there will only be 20 angkot are being used in the morning, 20 angkot in the afternoon and 20 angkot in the evening. This policy will also goes for buses and bajaj.

The last thing that the government could do to help to reduce the high rate of air pollution is prohibit public transportations that are not feasible to operate. Unfeasible public transportation, especially the engine, will automatically produce air pollution. For that reason, the government will check the physical condition and also, an emission test would be held for all public transportations in every 6 months. Once they have failed the test, they should change or repair the engine. Otherwise, they won’t be able to put in service.

This air pollution issue will become worse if the government doesn’t take a serious way to deal with it. In reality, people need a better air quality for a better life. Together with the government, it’s our responsibility to support everything that we can do to create a healthy environment.