"We need solutions that make environmental and climate security become part of every government or corporate policy."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for changes in lifestyles to meet global challenges.
In his address as a keynote speaker at the Business Forum for the Environment here on Thursday, he said that food and energy resources had become more and more limited due to increasing population and decreasing quality of the environment.
He said by changing lifestyle everyone could contribute to the settlement of global problems.
"We need a solution that could make economic and technological growth run in line with climate stability. We need a solution that is able to slow down or even stop the onslaught of climate change," he said.
President Yudhoyono said among the transforming solutions that could be pursued were changing lifestyles, consumption and production patterns, how to work, travel and play games.
"We need solutions that make environmental and climate security become part of every government or corporate policy," he said.
He said the conditions of life, welfare and environment globally right now are facing serious problems that would cause damage unless they are dealt with immediately.
"It is predicted in 2050 the world`s population would reach nine billions. Men would need more clean air, food, energy, water and other resources. In the year it is predicted our energy sources would drop by 40 percent and food supply by 60 percent," he said.
The Indonesian head of state expressed concern over current dependency on fossil fuels and increasing gas emissions as well as water shortages in many parts of the world.
With regard to food, he said, according to the World Food Program 925 million people in the world are now suffering from malnutrition. This means, he said, one of seven people in the world is suffering from malnutrition.
He said even based upon reports from the UN office for refugees and humanitarian problems 70 percent of natural disasters so far had happened because of a climate change.
To meet this he called on all parties including businesses and businessmen to participate in environmental preservation efforts and also to contribute to the handling of global problems.
"The government could not work alone. All of us must step forward to reduce carbon. It also needs a large-scale participation from the community and businesses to create green economy," he said.
The Business for the Environment Forum was initiated by the Indonesian Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and the ministry of environment. Hundreds of businessmen from home and abroad attended the event which was expected to become a forum for exchange of experiences in carrying out environment-oriented businesses.
The event was also attended by BKPM chief Gita Wiryawan, environment minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta, Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo and other officials.
(T.P008*F008/H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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