VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Air Quality in some cities around the world (Photo : WMO) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Amid mounting concern about the health and environmental impacts of air pollution, a new report from the World Meteorological Organization points out the potential for low-cost sensor systems to assess levels of air pollution, identify sources and to support air quality strategies to reduce them.

Low-cost sensor systems (LCS) represent a key tool for filling gaps in existing global and local air quality monitoring networks and contributing information for policy-relevant air quality strategies.

In recent years, wide-scale deployments of LCS have been made in low- and middle-income countries, where they often provide air quality information in regions lacking the more traditional (and more expensive) reference grade monitors.

In high-income countries, they supplement existing reference grade monitors with more localized near real-time air quality information – for instance, to monitor fire and smoke or vehicle emissions on busy roads.

“Air quality forecasting involving low-cost sensors is an increasingly important field due to its potential to support widespread monitoring and early warning systems, particularly in areas lacking more traditional monitors. Air quality forecasting is important to support effective decision-making to manage air quality impacts, especially in terms of human health. They are an important additional tool which can be harnessed at the community level to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Sara Basart, WMO Scientific Officer and one of the report's authors.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (13/06/24), the report, Integrating Low-Cost Sensor Systems and Networks to Enhance Air Quality Applications, was produced by WMO’s Global Atmosphere Watch network in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), International Global Atmospheric Chemistry project (IGAC) and international experts on technical and application areas.

It was released to coincide with the WMO Executive Council meeting, which has a focus on transforming science and practical services for society.

“Life begins and is sustained with breath, but too many around the world are suffering health problems and death due to breathing dirty air. Data-driven policy action towards combating air pollution is critical for efforts to improve global air quality – the more tools we have to support this, the greater our chances of recreating healthy environments for all life on earth,” said Richard Munang, Head of Global Environment Monitoring Systems and Early Warning for Environment Unit at UNEP.

The effects of air pollution lead to an estimated 7 million deaths every year, according to WHO. 

Mounting evidence links ambient and household air pollution to various health outcomes like non-communicable diseases including respiratory, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, cancer, low birth weight, diabetes, cognitive impairment and mental health impacts//VOI

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Pandjaitan met with Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Zheng Shanjie in Beijing, (Photo : Kemenkomarves) - 

VOInews, Beijing : Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Pandjaitan met with Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Zheng Shanjie in Beijing on Wednesday (12/6/2024).

Coordinating Minister Luhut said that Indonesia was highly committed to realizing the energy transition and building a renewable energy industry. In this way, Coordinating Minister Luhut hopes that the NDRC will support the battery project in the Buli industrial area.

"I hope that NDRC can support the collaboration between CBL (a joint venture of CATL, Brunp, and Lygend) and IBC (Indonesia Battery Corporation) for the production of battery materials projects and battery recycling projects in the Buli industrial area, North Maluku," he said.

Apart from the Buli industrial area, Coordinating Minister Luhut also touched on the North Kalimantan industrial area. This area will be a game changer and a model of cooperation for developing countries. The Indonesian government has adjusted regulations to ensure safe collateral for raw materials for petrochemical projects.

"I hope Mr. Zheng can support the implementation of this North Kalimantan industrial area. "Apart from that, we continue to support Chinese investors who will build glass factories (PV Glass) in Indonesia, including North Kalimantan," he added.

Another collaboration is the export of Indonesian Durian to China. The NDRC team has visited North Sumatra and Central Sulawesi which have great potential.

After this, Coordinating Minister Luhut will have a meeting with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to encourage the Import of Durian Protocol.

Coordinating Minister Luhut also stated that on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum on 20 May 2024 in Bali, the LoI Global Blended Finance Alliance (GBFA) had been signed which could support Indonesia-China blended finance cooperation in various fields.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (12/06/24), Shanghai and Hong Kong can become centers for blended finance in China and collaborate with international organizations that support South-South Cooperation. China Development Bank is a partner of Tri Hita Karana which plays an important role in pioneering blended finance//VOI

The Literacy Talk of Empowered Reading Ambassadors with Books Activity held by the National Library in Palembang. (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Palembang : The Kampung Pandai Community collaborates with Sriwijaya University and the South Sumatra Reading Ambassadors to develop literacy in the villages. 

Book author and driving teacher facilitator Dwiki Al Akhyar said that the benefits of reading and writing, apart from improving language skills and vocabulary, also broaden horizons and knowledge.

“Many studies have written about other great benefits of reading. Not only does it reduce stress. "Mental health is also maintained," continued Dwiki Al Akhyar on Literacy Talk of Empowered Reading Ambassadors with Books in Palembang, Wednesday, (12/6/2024).

Reading activities are carried out for various reasons. First, reading for recreational purposes (entertainment). Second, intensive reading, such as reading textbooks and scientific journals. And third, critical reading to analyze and evaluate the content of the reading.

Meanwhile, the benefits of writing include developing critical thinking skills, expressing ideas and feelings, improving communication skills, and helping to process emotions and reduce stress.

The founder of the Benny Institute, Beny Arnas, admitted that experience has proven that the benefits of reading can make oneself more critical. In fact, if you want to become a 'master' in a certain field, just do something intensely and consistently.

“Writing is not just about writing, writing automatically also means reading. "By writing, the brain will work to attract various information to be included in writing," concluded Beny.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (12/06/24), on the sidelines of the Literacy Talks with the Indonesian Reading Ambassadors, the book "Delima Resilient Women Across Generations" was also handed over to the South Sumatra provincial government, representatives of Bank Indonesia, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) regional 7 of South Sumatra, and high school/vocational school teachers//VOI

Gol A Gong when explaining about the book in Central Java (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Despite having limitations, Indonesian Reading Ambassador Gol A Gong has not lost his enthusiasm and believes that by reading books, his mind will always be filled and focused on all the dreams he wants to achieve. Not something that can't be achieved.

This was conveyed by Gol A Gong as a prologue to starting a Literacy Talk with the Indonesian Reading Ambassador in Central Java, Wednesday (29/5/2024).

Chairman of the Semarang Regency Community Reading Park Forum (TBM), Tirta Nursari, admitted that some people think they are less interested in reading activities. Moreover, the convenience of digital technology has made all human activities easier.

"Here then the role of the smallest environment, namely the family, becomes important as the main capital in forming children's reading habits from an early age," said Nursari.

Tirta actually hopes that in the future literary works can be produced at a young age. This is in line with the family literacy program that he is intensively campaigning for.

Well, someone can produce works (books) if they read often. Because from there, he will have a large vocabulary. And that's the basic capital in writing.

"Logically, to be able to produce output (writing) you must also have a lot of input (reading)," explained SIP Publishing CEO Indra Gunawan.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (29/05/24), the publishing CEO is working hard to encourage the people of Central Java to compete to write down their creative ideas and become eternal works.

"Because often people want to write but are hesitant because they don't know how," he explained.

In fact, the current conditions show a shift in habits. The habit of reading printed books is shifting to digital books or via other reading applications.

"The number of readers of comics and novels through book reading applications and websites in Indonesia is very high," concluded Indra//VOI