Surabaya: A City Confronting Climate Change
Surabaya, the second-largest city in Indonesia, is increasingly feeling the tangible effects of climate change. Rising sea levels, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and more frequent floods have become part of daily life for its residents. Located on the coast and experiencing rapid urbanization, these environmental challenges are worsening, raising concerns, particularly among the younger generation. Scientists have long warned about this issue, and now the people of Surabaya are witnessing witness serious impacts of climate change firsthand.
Visible Impacts of Climate Change in Surabaya
Climate change is no longer a distant issue, but one that is very present for the citizens of Surabaya. One of the most noticeable effects is the rising sea levels, which are making the coastal areas of the city increasingly vulnerable to flooding.
Global temperatures are predicted to peak soon after CO2 emissions hit critical thresholds within the next few degrees (Bertram et al., 2024). According to research published by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the average temperature in Surabaya has risen by about 1°C in recent years. This increase has led to more frequent and intense heatwaves and worsened floods during the rainy season, with some residential areas being submerged even after short bursts of rain.
Economic and Social Impact
It’s not just the environment that is affected; climate change is also hitting Surabaya's economy hard. Floods and rising temperatures have disrupted businesses, especially in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Farmers in coastal areas are now facing the threat of saltwater intrusion, reducing their crop vields and threatening their livelihoods.
On a social level, the most vulnerable communities, especially those living along the riverbanks, are the hardest hit by climate change. Repeated flooding damages their homes, and health risks increase due to standing water, which raises the likelihood of disease outbreaks such as dengue fever.
Interview with Local Students
To gain insight into how climate change is affecting the younger generation we spoke to Gerry Pratama, a student majoring in medicine at a university in Surabaya.
"The increasing temperature of the city has an effect on daily activities, due to the increasing heat of Surabaya, many activities that i often take my hands off to avoid the extreme temperatures," he shared. " This climate change also affects health, the weather in Surabaya which is currently rarely rain due to the location close to the sea and the density of traffic flow, and changes the rhythm of rainy weather in Surabaya so that it is easy to cause pathogenic disease due to weather fluctuations."
According to Gerry, climate change is the cause of the increase in temperature in Surabaya. Gerry also added that there are a lot of options to prevent climate change that is increasing, such as starting to switch to environmentally friendly energy. Gerry's experience reflects a growing concern among Surabaya residents,
especially young people. "The role of a student can start from taking care of the
home environment by planting trees or can participate in large scale contributions such as joining such as joining a campaign to plant tree seedlings with the public, and also a campaign to plant mangroves," said Gerry. People need to understand that they, too, can play a role in mitigating the impacts of climate change.”
Steps Toward a Solution
The city working to improve its drainage systems and develop flood-control projects.However, many environmental activists argue that more needs to be done. They emphasize the importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes and increasing public awareness about the causes and consequences of climate change. Public campaigns on waste reduction, recycling, and water conservation are key to addressing some of the issues contributing to Surabaya's environmental crisis.
The Role of Universities and Students
Surabaya’s universities play a crucial role in combating climate change through research, innovation, and public outreach. Many institutions have started integrating sustainability into their curricula, and students like Gerry are participating in environmental advocacy groups to raise awareness and promote climate action. One notable project involves university-led efforts to develop sustainable farming practices in rural areas surrounding the city. By reducing the environmental impact of agriculture, these projects aim to mitigate some of the effects of climate change, while also providing solutions that could be implemented
nationwide.
