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| UMM foreign students also attended the International Conference on Humanities and Social Science (ICHSoS). (Photo: Wildan PR UMM) |
Social sciences have various roles in handling environmental issues. The Assistant Deputy conveyed this for Environmental Impact Studies at the Ministry of Environment, Ir. Ary Sudjianto, M.S.E, at the International Conference on Humanities and Social Science (ICHSoS) last Saturday (2/7). The international conference is a collaboration between the Faculty of Economics and Business and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM).
Ary, his nickname, continued that many parties must support environmental policies taken by the government. Not only limited by scientists or the production process from upstream to downstream. However, it is also supported by a severe concern for the environment. Likewise, the role of social science can support these efforts.
"The implementation of environmental policies that we are trying to contain includes several variables. These include Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), indigenous communities, and restrictions on wood distribution. We do all that to maintain the environmental ecosystem. I think ICHSos, which raises the theme of environmental issues and social inclusion in a sustainable era, can provide contributions from qualified academics," said Ary, who represented the Minister of Environment and Forestry.
On the other hand, UMM Vice Rector I. Prof. Dr. Syamsul Arifin, M.Sc., mentioned that in addition to raising environmental issues, ICHSoS also aims to expand research resources. In addition, it is also an effort to maintain the academic atmosphere on campus. "Hopefully, this conference can continue in the coming years to be able to contribute ideas and innovative solutions to existing problems," he said.
The conference, held offline and online, was attended by international speakers and experts. The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Ghana Forestry Research Institute are among them. Also present were academics from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Jewel Andoh, a Ph.D. researcher at the Ghana forestry institute, explained the REDD+ adopted by the Ghanaian government to reduce pollution. Meanwhile, REDD+ are measures designed to use financial incentives to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from deforestation and forest degradation.
"REDD+ also lists the role of conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. This scheme will help reduce poverty levels and achieve sustainable economic growth. The process of implementing REDD+ focuses on stakeholder engagement. The voices of communities, indigenous peoples, and traditional communities must be taken into account to ensure the rights of those living in and around forests," Jewel added.
On the other hand, the speaker from UMM, Dr. Tri Sulistyaningsih, M.Si, discussed how integrated river flow management could play a role in dealing with environmental issues. Her research shows that Indonesia's central government has a dominant position compared to local governments in watershed management. In addition, there are overlapping policies from the central government and agencies in their leadership.
"Integrating watershed management is very much needed in discussing environmental issues, especially for economic, social, cultural, and environmental conservation. The sustainability of the socio-ecological system depends on the involvement of the government and the various stakeholders involved in it," he said.
Furthermore, R. Alam Surya Putra from The Asia Foundation (TAF) said that the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) scheme was quite successful in encouraging environmental conservation in Indonesia. Several regions in Indonesia have implemented EFT, which has succeeded in increasing land cover, developing large forest parks (Tahura), preventing and controlling forest and land fires (karhutla). "Even with increasing green open space, as well as waste management," he explained.
Then, there were also the last two presenters, Djoko Sigit, Ph.D. from UMM, and Dr. Nik Hazimah Bt Nik Mat from Trengganu University Malaysia. Djoko explained related to internet data innovation for better consumption decisions to support environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, Hazimah has three crucial pillars in the sustainability of life: economic, environmental, and social. (cdr/wil)
