Transparency Check: Jakarta's Air Quality Progress (with Katherine Hasan)
Why This Matters
How do we move from research to real change in addressing Jakarta's air pollution? Our guest, Katherine Hasan from CREA, brings valuable insights into how evidence-based research can drive policy action and what role citizens play in pushing for cleaner air.
Beyond Awareness: Current State of Action
"I don't think we're stuck on awareness," Katherine notes. "Air pollution is pretty transparent. Everybody can see it. If the sky is no longer blue, then we are in trouble." While recent months have seen some improvement in Jakarta's air quality, Katherine emphasizes the need for skepticism in attributing these changes to any specific interventions:
- Business activities continue as usual
- Emission sources remain unchanged
- No major interventions announced in:
- Transportation sector
- Open burning restrictions
- Industrial emissions
- Power generation
"If our government is doing great initiatives," she points out, "it should be well publicized. The public should be happy to hear about this."
Research's Role in Policy Making
CREA focuses on providing evidence-based insights for policymaking. Katherine explains their approach:
Research Focus
- Analyzing health impacts of air pollution
- Supporting energy transition decisions
- Examining Indonesia's commitments
- Pushing for faster transition away from coal
Making Research Accessible
"What's most effective," Katherine notes, "is something that's striking visually. A map that was picked up really conveys something quite powerful and easy to understand intuitively."
The Power of Public Action
A powerful example of successful advocacy comes from an unexpected source - K-pop fans. Katherine shares how BTS fans organized against Hyundai's potential partnership with an Indonesian supplier:
- Fans discovered the supplier would still heavily use coal power while claiming to be "clean" or "green"
- They identified greenwashing in the claims
- Their actions led to Hyundai canceling the potential partnership, even before it was solidified
- Demonstrated how young people can influence corporate decisions
Growing Public Engagement
Katherine highlights how air pollution is increasingly becoming a public priority:
- Air quality was raised as an issue in presidential debates, showing how Indonesian people are
- demanding answers about intervention plans
- Parents are questioning air quality in schoolsCommunities are examining industrial source locations near hospitals and residential areas
- Citizens are becoming more critical of city organization and planning
Gaps in Current Action
Katherine identifies several key areas needing attention:
Emergency Response Framework
Using Bangkok as an example, Katherine points out how other cities take direct action during pollution crises:
- Bangkok implements school closures during severe haze
- Government takes immediate action when air quality deteriorates
- Questions whether Jakarta has similar emergency measures in place
Data Transparency
- Limited monitoring outside Jakarta
- Need for more sensors beyond the capital
- Question of air quality importance in other cities
Looking Forward: Solutions
When discussing solutions, Katherine emphasizes several priorities:
Energy Transition
Solar energy emerges as a key solution:
- Cheapest and very fast to deploy
- Technology is readily available
- Can be implemented at various scales
Policy Priorities
- Better transparency in government actions
- More comprehensive monitoring
- Clear frameworks for emergency response
- Better public communication
- Stronger enforcement mechanisms
The Role of Young People
Katherine emphasizes that the younger generation has significant power to create change:
- Can be critical of environmental claims
- Able to organize effective campaigns
- Can influence corporate decisions
- Have a voice in policy discussions
Key Takeaways
- We're beyond awareness - action is needed now
- Skepticism about improvements is necessary until clearly documented
- Research and data must be accessible to be effective
- Public pressure can create meaningful change
- Young people have significant power to influence decisions
Important Note: This blog post is based entirely on our podcast conversation with Katherine Hasan and represents the discussion and views shared during that interview. While we strive for accuracy in representing our guest's expertise and insights, this content should not be considered as a primary source for academic research or policy citations. We are podcast hosts sharing educational conversations, not a news organization or academic institution. For the most current and comprehensive information about air pollution policies and research, please consult official policy documents, academic publications, or relevant research institutions.