Recently, Kaimana hosted a vibrant and hopeful event called the Environmental Retreat. Held on September 21, 2024, this event aimed to raise environmental awareness among the youth. Through this retreat, participants were encouraged to experience and understand the importance of sustaining the Earth, as well as contributing to solutions for increasingly urgent environmental issues.
Adopting the Concept of Environmental Retreats
A retreat is an activity that involves withdrawing, finding solitude, and distancing oneself from daily life. Generally, this activity is undertaken for spiritual reasons, stress relief, health maintenance, or other social or ecological purposes.
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This concept was adopted by EcoNusa for ecological aims, intending to build awareness of the importance of environmental protection. The event was part of the preparations for the Youth Climate Action 2024 and was attended by 20 participants from various schools and communities, including SMK 2 Kaimana, GPI Rehobot Youth Fellowship, SMA Yapis Kaimana, the School of Administrative Sciences (STIA), RRI, the Indonesian National Student Movement (GMNI), and the Saireri Youth Brigade. Guided by Ms. Miskia Fidmatan from the Kaimana Department of Education, Youth, and Sports, who is also an environmental activist, the event encouraged participants to be more concerned about ecological issues.
Raising Awareness of Climate Change
Climate change is an urgent global issue that significantly impacts human life and ecosystems. Addressing this challenge requires collective efforts from various parties, including direct involvement from the community. The retreat had several main objectives, including:
- Climate Change Awareness: The youth are increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather and rising sea levels.
- Active Youth Engagement: As the future’s successors, it is crucial to involve them in conservation efforts as they will face environmental challenges ahead.
- Environmental Education: Through this retreat, participants were taught knowledge and skills to contribute to environmental protection.
- Concrete Actions: The event also encouraged tangible actions, such as cleaning the environment and planting trees.
Observations and Problem Mapping
The activities began with a visit to the fish market and the Senja Final Disposal Site, where participants witnessed firsthand the waste issues, particularly plastic. Reports indicated that Kaimana produces around 12 tons of waste per day, an increase from the previous 11 tons.
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Participants engaged in discussions to map out the problems faced, exploring the causes and impacts of climate change. They identified key issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, all of which contribute to climate change.
Reflection and Hope
To conclude, a reflection session was held where participants were invited to contemplate the impacts of environmental degradation. Through reflection techniques, they were encouraged to deepen their sense of responsibility toward the Earth.
There remains hope for making Kaimana and Indonesia a better place. The youth who participated in this activity are expected to become change agents who care about the environment. With the knowledge and experiences gained, they are anticipated to promote awareness and tangible actions for climate change mitigation.
Through the Environmental Retreat, the youth of Kaimana demonstrated that love for the Earth is not only possible but also essential for a more sustainable future.
