Published: 17 Apr 2017

Cikarang, Indonesia — Environmental Engineering Study Program of President University held a seminar called “Environment Talk” at Charles Himawan Auditorium President University (12/4). The seminar was attended by Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Cecep Kusmana, Head of Post Graduate Study Program Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Dr. Ir. Anang Sudarna, M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of West Java Environmental Office, Ir. Yana Juhana, M.Sc, Forest.Trop., Deputy Director Macro Forest Plan of Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Rijal Hakiki, S.ST., M.T, Lecturer of President University.

Environment Talk was held to commemorate Earth Day on April 22 and to raise awareness of the environment and the earth. The seminar was opened by a speech from Ir. Temmy Wikaningrum, M.B.A., M.Si., Head of Environmental Engineering Study Program of President University, followed by remarks from Dr.-Ing. Erwin Sitompul, S.T., M.Sc., the Dean of School of Engineering of President University.

“This seminar aims to raise the awareness about Earth. Nature is only translating what us (men) do and give it right back to us. We have to be aware that the Earth, the forest, and the ocean doesn’t need us at all. However, on the other side, we’re depending on them all”, said Temmy. 

Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Cecep Kusmana delivered a view on the climate change and its impacts on the environment and the ecosystem. He also elaborated about the functions of forest as a Carbon Dioxide producer and water absorber. However, deforestation is a big issue in Indonesia and it affects the incremental of the greenhouse gas effect in the country.

“If there is no forest, not only the climate will change, but we will extinct as well. Some experts predicted that if deforestation is not being controlled, the oxygen in this world will not be enough for all people”, said Cecep.

Furthermore, Dr. Ir. Anang Sudarna talked about the climate change that begins with global warming and caused by the greenhouse effect from industry and constructions of building. The raising air temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns can indicate global warming.

Ir. Yana Juhana elaborated about land utilization for climate change and the important role of forest in Indonesia. Forests in some part of Indonesia are in a horrible condition where deforestation occurs and forests turns into housing, plantation, and industry.

Rijal Hakiki, S.ST., M.T., one of the lecturers in Environmental Engineering Study Program of President University, shared about various technologies approaches to mitigate the impact of the global climate change.

Participants from various university in Indonesia were also joining this seminar; Universitas Pelita Bangsa, Universitas Sahid Jakarta, Universitas Mercubuana, Universitas Trisakti, Institut Pertanian Bogor, STIAMI, and Universitas UDAYANA Bali. Students from Senior high and vocational schools from Bogor also came to the seminar.

“I hope that the audiences can share the knowledge and raise understanding about the importance of climate change impacts that need to be faced by technology, lifestyle, and policy”, said Temmy. (SL)