JAKARTA-- The issue of climate change is currently a global concern due to its far-reaching environmental, social, and economic impacts. Rising global temperatures, reduced biodiversity, and declining ecosystem quality are clear evidence of environmentally unfriendly human activities, such as massive land clearing, deforestation, and unwise waste management.

This condition demands collective awareness and concrete action from various parties to maintain environmental sustainability, including the active role of the world of education in instilling values ​​of concern for the environment from an early age.

To commemorate World Climate Action Day, which falls on October 24, BRI Peduli, as the umbrella organization for the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) Program, is carrying out educational activities and climate change mitigation actions for school students.

The activation included mangrove planting in Muara Gembong, Bekasi Regency, involving students from SMP Negeri 1 Muara Gembong, as well as educational activities on plastic waste management at the Berahan Kulon Final Disposal Site (TPA), Demak Regency, Central Java Province, involving students from SMP Negeri 1 Wedung.

During the mangrove planting activity, students at SMP Negeri 1 Muara Gembong received interactive education about the importance of mangrove ecosystems in maintaining environmental balance and mitigating climate change. The students then engaged in real-life environmental action through direct mangrove planting, guided by a mentor.

Meanwhile, in the plastic waste management educational activity, students received interactive instruction aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness of the negative impacts of plastic waste on the environment. Students worked in groups to practice sorting, cleaning, and processing plastic waste into new, useful products.

BRI Corporate Secretary, Dhanny, stated that World Climate Action Day is a momentum to play a role in protecting the earth and its ecosystem. Amid these challenges, there is great hope growing from the enthusiasm of the younger generation.

This activity also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, namely Climate Change Management, and supports Government Goal Number 8, namely Environmental, Cultural, and Religious Tolerance Harmony.

"These activities demonstrate BRI's commitment to preserving the environmental ecosystem by engaging young people as the nation's future generation. Protecting the ecosystem can start with small steps, such as reducing plastic waste, planting trees, keeping rivers clean, and even boldly speaking out about the importance of green policies in the surrounding environment," he said.

Dhanny also emphasized that these activities are designed to strengthen the younger generation's awareness of the importance of protecting the environment and instill the values ​​of social and ecological responsibility from an early age.

Through a combination of interactive education and real environmental action, students not only gain knowledge about the causes and impacts of climate change, but also become directly involved in mitigation activities, such as mangrove planting and plastic waste processing.

"This activity also serves as concrete evidence of BRI's commitment to realizing sustainable development through social and environmental activities that have a broad and sustainable impact," he added.

On a separate occasion, Hendri Saluanudin, a teacher at SMP Negeri 1 Muara Gembong, revealed that the activities carried out by BRI Peduli not only increase students' knowledge and skills in dealing with natural disasters, but also raise awareness of the importance of protecting the environment and caring for each other.

"The material presented was very interesting, applicable, and easy for children to understand, accompanied by implementation in the field that made students aware of the importance of preserving ecosystems and the real impact of climate change on daily life," he said.

For your information, the mangrove planting activity in Muara Gembong is an implementation of the BRI Menanam – Grow & Green initiative, which focuses on efforts to restore and preserve ecosystems sustainably by involving the community as local heroes in maintaining environmental sustainability.

To date, BRI Peduli through the BRI Menanam – Grow & Green program has planted 25,000 mangrove seedlings, planted 45,300 productive tree seedlings, and transplanted 5,430 coral fragments spread across various regions in Indonesia.