Jakarta - Human activities to fulfill the needs of life and satisfaction have degraded the quality and health of Planet Earth. Human greed puts pressure that exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment. Not to mention the growing population of the earth, causing competition among humans for resources to survive, driving global warming and climate change. The phenomenon of climate change pushes life on earth to be very vulnerable to the availability of adequate and sustainable food, water and energy. As one of the countries rich in forest, marine and biodiversity resources, Indonesia actually has the capital strength and role to contribute significantly in restraining the rate of climate change.

In the midst of some areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan still covered by haze due to forest and land fires, today (15/10) in Jakarta figures from various elements representing religious and environmental institutions in Indonesia gathered in the event "Rembuk Nasional Tokoh Agama Menanggapi Perusakan Lingkungan Hidup dan Menahan Laju Perubahan Iklim". The National Consultation aims to build a moral movement to immediately stop the destruction of the environment that continues to occur.

This activity is a follow-up to the Declaration of 'Indonesia Moves to Save the Earth (SIAGA BUMI)' on International Peace Day last September 21, 2015, which was witnessed by the Minister of Environment and Forestry, Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya Bakar MSc. and Chairman of the MPR RI, Dr. Zulkifli Hasan SE MM.

Prof. Din Syamsuddin, Chairman of the SIAGA BUMI Steering Committee said, "Environmental damage and the threat of climate change are a reflection of the moral challenges we face today. I invite all elements of society to make changes to save the sustainability of life on earth." Prof. Din continued, "By basing on moral values and religious ethics, I believe that each of us is able to make changes to restore a friendly relationship between us and nature for the welfare and benefit of the entire community."

Meanwhile Dr. Efransjah, CEO of WWF Indonesia, who is also a member of the SIAGA BUMI Steering Committee, added, "There is no choice but to make lifestyle changes now. This joint movement with religious leaders makes us realize the duty of each of us in maintaining the sustainability of the earth to sustain human life for present and future generations." In one of the WWF publications 'Living Planet Report 2014' states that to meet current human needs from natural resources and environmental services, it takes the equivalent of 1.5 planet earths. "Environmental conservation is our business and for our benefit in maintaining harmony of life with other creatures," concluded Dr. Efransjah.

Through today's National Rembuk, religious and environmental leaders are taking steps to inspire all levels of society to start moving to make changes for the sake of environmental sustainability. This step has become very strategic after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the UN General Assembly at the end of September and ahead of the annual UN Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) COP 21 event in Paris at the end of November.

Editor's Note:

Indonesia Moves to Save the Earth (SIAGA BUMI) was declared to coincide with the commemoration of World Peace Day on September 21, 2015. SIAGA BUMI consists of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI), Indonesian Church Fellowship (PGI), Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI), Representative of Indonesian Buddhists (Walubi), High Council of Indonesian Confucianism (Matakin), Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations (CDCC) Indonesia, Inter Religious Council (IRC) Indonesia, Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), Center for Islamic Studies of National University (UNAS), Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalist (SIEJ) and WWF Indonesia. The Chairperson of the SIAGA BUMI Steering Committee is Prof. Dr. H. M. Din Syamsuddin, who is currently the Chairman of the Advisory Board of MUI Pusat.

For further information please contact:

• Dr. Ir. H. Hayu Prabowo, Chairperson of the Earth Alert Movement Team, 08119701709
• Nyoman Iswarayoga, Director of Communication & Advocacy WWF Indonesia, 08111284868