Peatland fires have once again occurred in Indonesia, and this time the regions of Central Kalimantan and South Sulawesi have been the most affected areas. Peatlands play a crucial role for humans in facing the climate crisis and maintaining life sustainability on Earth, as they are referred to as "black gold".
Indonesia faces threats from the international community almost every year due to forest and land fires (KARHUTLA) that harm various parties and sectors, both nationally and internationally. These fires are difficult to extinguish because the fire sources are hidden beneath the surface and easily spread.
Although peatlands cover only 3% of the global land area, they store 25% of the global carbon, twice as much as the carbon stored in forests worldwide. During the forest fires in 2019, it was found that 1.6 hectares of burned land were peatlands.
The World Resources Institute revealed that the amount of fuel burned in those fires was equivalent to 22,713 liters of gasoline, or approximately 450 average cars in Indonesia. Therefore, it is important to properly manage peatlands to prevent climate crises and improve community well-being.
Indonesia's peatlands themselves contribute 10% of the world's total peatland area and play a role in preserving global biodiversity. Additionally, peatlands serve as a safe source of drinking water, help reduce the risk of floods, and provide livelihoods for local communities.
However, the management of peatlands is not solely Indonesia's responsibility. Every country in the world needs to make peatland restoration a commitment in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change. This emphasizes the need for global cooperation to effectively and sustainably preserve peatlands as part of climate change mitigation efforts.
Watch the series "Nusantara Kaya Emas Hitam" amidst the Climate Crisis here.
