Enviro News Asia, Surabaya — The Ministry of Environment and Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has encouraged young people in Surabaya to take a more active role in addressing climate change through practical actions in their communities.
The call was delivered through the “Cengkerama Iklim: Muda Peduli, Muda Beraksi” program, held in Surabaya, East Java, on September 19–20, 2026. The initiative was organized by the Directorate of Climate Change Control Resource Mobilization (MSDPPI) at KLH/BPLH in collaboration with the Bina Bhakti Lingkungan Foundation (YBBL), with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF).
The program brought together 47 high school and vocational school students and 53 selected university students. Rather than focusing only on discussions, the participants were encouraged to identify environmental challenges around them and develop practical solutions that could be implemented at schools, universities and in their communities.
Ary Sudijanto, Deputy for Climate Change Control and Carbon Economic Value Governance at KLH/BPLH, said young people’s voices should play an active role in climate action because they will experience the long-term impacts of decisions made today.
“The outcomes we expect participants to take home from Cengkerama Iklim include a better understanding of climate change and the role of young people, realistic ideas that can be implemented in schools, universities and communities, as well as new networks that can support collaborative climate action,” Ary said.
From Dialogue to Practical Solutions
The first day combined discussions on climate challenges with examples of practical environmental initiatives. Representing the MSDPPI Directorate, Wisnu Murti highlighted the risks associated with the triple planetary crisis and encouraged participants to begin environmental action through everyday practices.
These included reducing energy waste, sorting household waste and planting trees. He emphasized that environmental action does not always have to begin with large-scale projects.
Muhammad Fikser, Head of the Surabaya Environmental Agency, outlined several measures implemented by the city, including the expansion of green open spaces, mangrove conservation and the use of SIBASAM, a digital information system designed to support public participation in waste bank management.
Queen Annesya, Surabaya’s 2024 Environmental Ambassador, also shared her experience in developing organic waste management using maggot-based processing within local communities.
Young People Take the Lead
The discussion sessions also provided space for young environmental activists to share their experiences and perspectives.
Rizana Hasna Yusuf from the Surabaya Central Waste Bank encouraged participants to make waste sorting part of their daily lifestyle.
Anastasya Laila Definia Salsabila, an Indonesian delegate to the 2025 ASEAN Children and Youth Climate Summit, discussed ways for young people to participate in formal policy processes.
“Young people’s voices are not only the voices of the future, but also part of decisions being made today,” Anastasya said.
Environmental campaigner Benedict Wermter, widely known as “Bule Sampah,” shared communication strategies for presenting environmental messages in ways that are relevant to younger audiences and everyday lifestyles.
Climate Action at Kenjeran Beach
The program concluded with direct environmental action on September 20 through Climate Action Day at Kenjeran Watu-Watu Beach in Surabaya.
Students and university participants joined coastal clean-up activities, sorted collected waste and engaged with local residents about the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems.
Through Cengkerama Iklim, KLH/BPLH sought to connect youth awareness with practical community-based action. The program also highlighted the role of young people in developing environmental initiatives and building collaborative responses to climate challenges. (*)
