Young Environmental Activist Writes to Indonesian President, Urges Government to Limit Plastic Production that Pollutes the Environment

Gresik – Aeshnina Azzahra Aqilani, a student and young environmental activist from Gresik, East Java, has written a letter to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto. In her letter, she calls on the government to take immediate and decisive action in limiting plastic production to address the growing plastic pollution crisis, which is having a negative impact on the environment and human health.

In the letter, Nina highlights the dangers of microplastics to human health, including the discovery of microplastics in various organs of the human body such as blood, lungs, sperm, placenta, and kidneys. "Research from various studies explains that microplastics can cause hormonal disruption, inflammation, and even serious diseases like cancer and heart disease," said Nina, who is currently in her 12th grade at Muhammadiyah 10 High School in Gresik.

Nina expressed her concerns as young people are considered the most vulnerable group to experience the dangers of plastic pollution. "We, the youth, are the next generation of this nation. We want to inherit a clean environment, not the burden of increasing plastic pollution," Nina emphasized.

There are three main points Nina raised in her letter to Prabowo. These include limiting plastic production, protecting the environment for future generations, and enhancing public education to raise environmental awareness. "I sincerely hope that Indonesia can lead the global fight against the plastic crisis and not just become the final destination for the world's plastic waste," Nina wrote in her letter.

"As President, I am confident that you have the power to bring about impactful change. Therefore, I implore you to:

1. Limit Plastic Production Globally and Nationally
   Indonesia must push for the reduction of plastic production at the international level, while strengthening national policies to stop the use of single-use plastics. However, there must be strict law enforcement and supervision, so that if the community violates it, they will be sanctioned.
2. Focus on protecting future generations from the threat of microplastics
   A government that loves the future generation is a government that cares about the environment. Wants to protect the ecosystem and public health from the impacts of plastic and microplastic pollution. Does not exploit natural resources and does not rob our natural reserves. Prioritizes real solutions, namely reduce and refill.
3. Increase Public Education and AwarenessThe dangers of microplastics
   Education about the dangers of microplastics should be a priority. Thus, the community, especially young people, will be more concerned and active in supporting environmental policies.
4. Tighten industrial waste monitoring and producer responsibility                                               Industrial waste supervision must be tightened by ensuring that every company complies with environmental regulations. In addition, manufacturers must be responsible for the life cycle of their products, including providing a waste collection system specific to their products and post-consumer waste management.

The letter is also accompanied by research data on the impact of microplastics on the human body, showing the urgency for the government to take immediate action.

Nina recently attended the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) conference in Busan, South Korea. She expressed her disappointment upon witnessing the global discussions on solutions to the plastic crisis. "I was disappointed because Indonesia did not join the High Ambition Coalition (HAC), a group of countries that support strict limitations on plastic production," she wrote in her letter, dated December 31, 2024.

Indonesia should have joined the ranks of ambitious nations committed to ending plastic pollution by pushing for plastic production restrictions at the INC-5 conference in Busan, South Korea.

"I hope the government responds to this letter and takes action by creating policies that demonstrate a serious commitment to reducing plastic production in Indonesia," Nina concluded.