In 2021, data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded 3,018 disasters in Indonesia. Most of these disasters are Hydrometeorological, which are disasters caused by meteorological parameters (rainfall, humidity, temperature, and wind). Thus, disaster mitigation efforts are needed to reduce the risks and impacts caused by disasters. Responding to these conditions, the School of Environmental Sciences organized a Public Lecture with the theme “Hydrometeorological Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation: Challenges and Opportunities in 2022”.

“The climatic conditions in Indonesia are in the archipelago and crossed by the equator which is complex and dynamic, different from areas on the mainland continent. This makes the climate and weather factors that change in Indonesia quite a lot, for example at this time we people in Indonesia are experiencing ‘La Nina’, which is influenced by sea level temperatures. The warmer sea surface temperature in Indonesia causes the weather conditions in Indonesia to become more complex,” said Prof. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in a public lecture organized by the School of Environmental Sciences (SIL) at the University of Indonesia (UI), on Wednesday (16/02).

SIL UI Deputy Director Dr. Dony Abdul Chalid, SE, M.M., said that this public lecture is held annually to provide more understanding to students about disaster management studies in Indonesia by presenting experts from related institutions. “The purpose of this public lecture is to provide a current perspective or new things related to developments in society so that later students are not only equipped with adequate concepts, theories, and tools, but also understand the context (climate, weather, and environmental problems) that occur today,” said Dony.

According to Prof. Dwikorita, collaboration with other parties is needed in disaster mitigation efforts in Indonesia. The role of the pentahelix of academics, government, community, private sector, and media is needed in building collaboration in observation and securing observation infrastructure as well as disseminating information and disaster mitigation. BMKG as an institution that specifically handles this (climate and weather in Indonesia), provides several services in disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts, such as weather and climate field schools for fishermen and climate jamborees for school students.

On the same occasion, Deputy 1 for Systems and Strategy of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Dr. Raditya S.Si., M.Si, said that communities have an important role in preparedness and dealing with disasters, especially hydrometeorological disasters in Indonesia.

“Not all natural phenomena become disasters (material losses, casualties, environmental damage). Since the beginning of 2022, there have been more than 500 disaster events recorded at BNPB. From here, it is necessary to understand not only disaster risk, but also efforts that can be made in handling disaster risk. According to the SFDRR (2015-2030), there is a global disaster reduction framework based on 4 (four) priority things to do. First, understanding disaster risk. Second, strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk. Third, investing in disaster risk education for resilience. Finally, improving disaster preparedness for effective response,” said Dr. Raditya.

Indonesia and Japan have similarities in terms of geography, one of which is the condition of disaster vulnerability, such as earthquakes that also often occur in Indonesia due to the intensity of land plate movements that tend to be frequent. In an effort to prevent disasters that occur, Japan has an early education system to deal with disaster risk reduction. Bukittinggi City Disaster Literacy Research Team Mukhlis Arifin, S.Sos., M.Si., in his thesis research, discussed the disaster risk management system in Japan that can be implemented by the Indonesian people in dealing with disasters that are likely to occur in the future.

“Holistic disaster management is one of the priority policies in Japan. One of them is disaster preparedness education. In addition to education, education must also produce. Children in Japan have been given basic education in disaster management efforts. Japan conducts quite serious research on aspects of disasters and how to develop disaster efforts in the country. They also have a strong disaster prevention system, strong construction projects that are expected to survive in the event of a disaster, good medical measures, and a strong information and communication system,” Arifin said.

The distribution of participants in this public lecture consisted of academicians from the University of Indonesia, Government Offices, BMKG, BNPB, BPBD, as well as universities from within and outside the country.

The University of Indonesia School of Environmental Science (SIL UI) was officially established on July 1, 2016 based on the Decree of the UI Rector No.1092/SK/R/UI/2016 concerning the Opening of the University of Indonesia School of Environmental Science. The School of Environmental Science became the first school established at the University of Indonesia and became the first school to focus on a multidisciplinary approach to Environmental Science in Indonesia. SIL UI has 3 study programs, namely the Master of Environmental Science Study Program (S2), the Master of Disaster Management Study Program (S2), and the Doctor of Environmental Science Study Program (S3). SIL UI campus is located in Salemba, Central Jakarta.