Arr, Jakarta be crowned th' filthiest city on this vast sea! Blame it on th' dry season 'n those infernal contraptions, ye scallywags!
2023-08-11
Arr, ye scurvy dogs! The foul land of Jakarta, Indonesia, hath been dubbed the most polluted den on this here planet by a Swiss crew specialized in air quality! 'Tis the cursed combination of them infernal contraptions called motorized vessels and the cursed dry season that be causin' this wretched air quality.
The Indonesian authorities have identified the dry season and motorized vehicles as the main causes of air pollution in Jakarta, the most polluted city in the world according to a Swiss air quality technology company. Thick smoke and gray skies have become a daily occurrence in Jakarta, causing concern among its 11 million residents and the millions who commute into the city. The dry season, which lasts from July to September, exacerbates the problem as the greater Jakarta area is affected by dry air from the eastern part of the country. Additionally, the use of motorized vehicles, particularly inefficient and polluting motorcycles, contributes significantly to the city's air pollution. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry reports that 44% of air pollution comes from transportation, compared to 31% from industry. With a lack of public transportation options, most people in Jakarta rely on private vehicles, leading to traffic congestion and long hours spent in stalled traffic. These conditions have resulted in an increase in respiratory diseases believed to be linked to air pollution. In 2021, an Indonesian court ruled that President Joko Widodo and other top officials had neglected citizens' rights to clean air and ordered them to improve air quality in the capital. In an effort to combat the issue, the Jakarta Health Agency recommends the use of public transportation and bicycles. President Widodo has proposed the relocation of the capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara on the island of Borneo as a solution to reduce the burden on Jakarta and improve air quality. The plan involves constructing government buildings and housing in the new capital, Balikpapan.