Indonesia Break Free Coalition: Reject Coal Power Plants! Switch on Renewables!

Thousands of people took part in marches and creative carnival held by the Break Free Coalition is WALHI, Greenpeace, and JATAM. Thousands of people had gathered since early morning, Wednesday (11/5), at the roundabout HI, and marched to the State Palace. This peaceful action aims to urge the Indonesian government to stop the addiction to fossil energy, especially coal as an energy source, and take action in line with emission reduction commitments Indonesia in Paris climate agreement last year, by switching on the sources of renewable energy that is clean and sustainable.

More than three thousand people involved in this peaceful parade and carnival consists of various communities living in cities, students, the general public and the communities affected by coal industry-from mining areas, power plants and coal-ports from various regions in Indonesia. Representatives of the community living around coal mining in East Kalimantan, Bengkulu, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra and communities exposed to the negative impact of the presence of the coal power plant in Pelabuhan Ratu, Labuan, Indramayu, Cirebon participated in the parade. Not forgetting the thousands of public representatives stems are already struggling almost five years in opposing the development plan mega coal power project in their village.

Before the mass moves toward the National Palace, the combined communities affected by mining and coal-fired power plants from various regions across Indonesia also conduct demonstrations in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta. This action was done because the Japanese government, through JBIC (Japan Bank for International Cooperation) and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and the Japanese company is one of the main parties involved in funding the massive expansion of the coal industry in Indonesia. Mass action urging the Japanese government to immediately stop its gross investment in the country.

Coalition invites all people to voice termination of the use of coal fossil energy that is the most dangerous and urgent transition to renewable energy that is clean and safe with a more ambitious target again.

Break Free is mobilizing unprecedented from local and international organizations as well as groups of grassroots and regional coalitions to stop the fossil fuel projects in six continents, showing the determination global transition from fossil fuels and build a new kind of economy that we know it is possible - the transition to 100% renewable energy now.

Last year world leaders pledged to take action responding to the climate crisis, but the promise they require an immediate change and large-scale burning of fossil fuels, and there is a big gap between the words of politicians and their plans for action.

Society will demonstrate their strength and courage that this is the time to keep fossil fuels remain in the soil and build a better, healthier and more equitable.

Renewable energy becomes a revolutionary economic force for the transition from fossil fuels and to empower communities at the forefront of climate change with the resources they need to respond to the crisis.

Here are some brief reason why Indonesia should prioritize Renewable Energy:

Renewable energy suitable for energy independence, because generally renewable sources waterwheel is local and can not be transferred / export. The maximum potential energy will be used for domestic energy needs forever.

Currently there are 15-fold increase in the use of solar energy throughout the world since 2007. It would be very unfortunate if Indonesia is located on the equator, which is illuminated by the sun throughout the year did not even use it.

With the longest coastline in the world and all three forms of the island nation sandwiched between two great oceans and two continents. Wind energy potential should be maximized, given the global trends in the utilization of wind also increased.

Ring Of Fire State makes geothermal potential in Indonesia to satisfy 40% of the world's geothermal reserves, with potential for approximately 29GW. But this time is utilized only about 4% only.

With a number of rivers in Indonesia in the thousands would bring microhydro power plant great potential, following Sea waves are also abundant.

and many other reasons ...

There is no reason for the government to continue the country's energy policy to dirty fossil energy, especially coal. Time to do the revolution energy to clean and secure energy future for the sake of the nation and the world.