Friday, November 6, 2009 1:52 PM
Climate change is also defense and security problem
Evan A. Laksmana , Jakarta Mon, 11/02/2009 1:47 PM

recents report shows that there in Southeast Asia of the most susceptible regions to climate change, more than 750,000 people have died between 1998 and 2009 caused by Natural Disaster.Indonesia too will soon see firsthand the increases in the severity of flooding, forest fires or Deforestation, rising sea level and extreme weather conditions like Tornado and others. Some one name Juwono Sudarsono said that there is no specific national security agenda for climate change problem. But it also shows climate change is still seen as an "environmental issue", not a matter of urgency our defense should focus on. Climate change has the ability to change the Indonesian Military's (TNI). A climate changing make rise of Indonesia's sea levels it was up to 1 meter by 2010 according to one study. It will increase salinity in our water, while the uptake of carbon dioxide will increase its acidity. Our ocean currents will eventually change as well. These changes, according to a recent Center for a New American Security report, will affect surface and under sea. But it also possible affect ship operation and maintenance, engines and other equipment. The TNI, there fore, needs to think about defense fuel efficiency. Hopefully soon, as it has already spent around Rp 2.9 billion (US$300 million) annually for fuel not counting oil-price and the cost of storage and distribution while the government often only pays half the bill. Concept that could change rapidly according to monthly changes in the regional military balance are Energy efficiency, however, does not mean a weaker (TNI). In fact, a recent Brookings report concluded lower. Climate is what you expect, but weather is what you get, as the old military saying goes. Well, we are certainly in for stormy weather.

By: Josephine 7A