UGM wishes to play a crucial role in addressing climate change by providing education programs and campaigns that raise awareness about climate change risks, impacts, and solutions. Through research, teaching, and community engagement, UGM is able to empower students and local communities to understand and mitigate climate challenges while fostering adaptation strategies and disaster preparedness.
In 2023, UGM students innovated the ACO jacket, which is a temperature-control jacket equipped with heating and cooling systems to enhance comfort in various conditions. The ACO Jacket features user-adjustable temperature settings, water-resistant materials, and embedded heating elements with an integrated fan for safety and ease of use. The jacket was created to combat Indonesia’s unpredictable weather, an effect of climate change, and aims to make secondary clothing more adaptable to changing temperatures, offering comfort and protection.
Similarly, UGM students tackled greenhouse gas emissions through the development of a seaweed-based animal feed supplement to reduce methane emissions from livestock, which contribute 20-25% of global methane output. Using seaweed from Yogyakarta’s coasts, the team developed pellets that cut methane emissions by over 21% and improved feed digestibility by 7.29%. Their research highlights seaweed’s potential as a sustainable solution for lowering greenhouse gas emissions, making a significant contribution to carbon reduction efforts and climate change mitigation.
Beyond individual projects, the Faculty of Geography held its 103rd SDGs Seminar Series on the theme “Climate Action Towards SDG 13: Implementing Global Adaptation Commitments at the Local Level.” Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Stanislaus Risadi Apresian from the University of Leeds, the seminar emphasised the importance of climate change adaptation and mitigation in Indonesia. Highlighting programs like the Indonesia Climate Change Trust Fund (ICCTF) and Program Kampung Iklim (ProKlim), the event showcased local and national efforts to reduce emissions and build resilience. Interactive discussions involving academics, government, and community members resulted in actionable recommendations to enhance local climate adaptation initiatives.
Part of the UGM curriculum is the 50-day Community Service Program (KKN-PPM). One unit was dispatched to Senggarang and Kampung Bugis, Tanjungpinang, from July 1 to August 19, 2024. As part of the program, they visited the Tanjungpinang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to strengthen collaboration between academia and local government in disaster mitigation efforts. The students held sessions on disaster studies, remote sensing applications, hazard mapping, and emergency response to tree falls. The activity was praised as valuable in enhancing BPBD’s capacity to manage disasters in Tanjungpinang.
From fostering innovative solutions to engaging in collaborative community service, UGM exemplifies how academic institutions can lead in climate action and sustainability. By bridging local efforts with global goals, UGM continues to pave the way for impactful and inclusive responses to the climate crisis.
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