By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda

Jakarta (27/03)- A unique community calling themselves KOBA (Batavia Onthel Community) showed their enthusiasm in celebrating Earth Hour Jakarta 2010, Saturday (27/03) evening in Monas, Central Jakarta. Some 25 onthelists (term used to call their member, since ‘Onthel’ literally means classic bicycle model imported into Indonesia during the Dutch colonial era) were seen wearing ’tempo doeloe’ (literally means ‘the old-time’) costumes, for instance: freedom fighter, traditional Betawi and Javanese clothes as well as other costumes.
“At 7 pm, we gathered in Hotel Indonesia Traffic Circle and cycled to Monas. At the beginning, there were 25 members joining, but because of the rain and some of us are no longer young, there were only 25 people finally manage to come to Monas,” said Darsono, one of KOBA members who joined Earth Hour in Monas.

To light the road that had already darkened Jakarta, the ‘onthelists’ equipped their bicycles with dynamo lights and oil lamps. “We use battery-free lights. So it’s not the bicycle alone, we also try to be environmentally friendly in selecting the accessories,” said Darsono.
He expressed his hope that through Earth Hour, Jakartans would be able to contribute in reducing carbon emission. According to him, one of the simple actions is by implementing energy saving practices. Not only KOBA, some high school students in Jakarta united in Water and Energy Student Forum (FPPEA) also enlivened Earth Hour celebration taking place in the heart of Jakarta.
“Earth Hour makes us realize that we can do something for the Earth. Switching off lights and non-essential electronic devices is a simple action that can be done by any individual. Simple but significant for life and environment sustainability,” Ina one of the volunteer of FPPEA said.

Other communities joining Earth Hour was Parkour. The group specializing in the art of body movement, and identical with activities of running along a route or course while navigating obstacles (walls, tree branches, or even buildings), mobilized its members to help organise and enliven the event.
At 8.30 pm, Monas went totally dark. All park lights around this 80-hectare area were switched off. Although Monas area was black out, the communities and Monas visitors were still had their zest for witnessing the world biggest climate change campaign. They were musing over the importance of saving the energy for life sustainability on Earth.