"We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions because they increase temperature that leads to drought," he said here on Thursday.
The minister said the drought affecting several parts of the country proved that the impact of climate change had occurred.
Drought currently affects a number of areas in the country including the northern part of Java, East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara, causing hectares of paddy fields to dry up.
Yet the government assured that food stocks are enough to meet demand from the people living in drought-affected areas.
The government has set aside Rp1.7 trillion in funds to address the El Nino-induced drought affecting several parts of the country.
"The government also has conducted cloud seeding particularly to fight woodland fires including those in Palembang and later in Riau," he said adding if the cloud seeding proved ineffective to overcome drought the government would later use aircraft for water bombing.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said earlier this year`s dry season reached its peak in August and the rainy season in most parts of the country is expected to begin in October.
"What the government has done is a short-term effort. In the long-run, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced," the minister said.
(T.D016/S012/H-NG/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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