Students from the Faculty of Public Health (FPH), Universitas Indonesia (UI), have once again made achievements in national competitions. Naufal Akram, a 2023 Environmental Health Undergraduate Study Program student, won 2nd place in the 2023 Zone of Overthinking (ZOO) article competition organized by the Environmental Geography Student Association (EGSA) of Gajah Mada University (UGM). Announced on January 15, 2024, the theme of the competition is, “The Role of Youth in Environmental Sustainability: Overcoming the Lifestyle of Modern Society”.
Akram, as he is familiarly known, managed to win the prize for his work entitled “Carbon Trading as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development Based on Environmental Benefits and Economic Empowerment”. According to Akram, the discussion regarding Carbon Trading is quite relevant to the current conditions, and there is urgency considering that carbon is one of the common threads of climate change and environmental damage.
The societal paradigm that is increasingly far from intrinsic motivation in preserving the environment creates a domino effect on the benefit of the environment itself. The close relationship between carbon and climate change lies in the fundamental role of carbon dioxide as a major driver of global warming and its significant contribution to the ongoing climate crisis. The problems experienced by Indonesia regarding this unstoppable environmental issue require adjustments to be made in handling excessive carbon emissions as a form of prevention against the possibility of catastrophic environmental damage and problems. Through his article, Akram also stated that conclusively, carbon trading in its realization will create social benefits and resolve the issue of environmental change very effectively, going hand in hand with the contribution of increasing the country’s foreign exchange.
The results of his discussion with Drs. Abdul Rahman, M.Env., Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Health, FPH UI, the main issue analyzed by Akram is related to excess carbon, where he tries to underline that climate change is not something that can be destroyed or stopped. “Therefore, we should look for solutions and initiate innovations that can reduce the rate of climate change itself,” said Akram. Through this essay, Akram also tried to introduce environmental empowerment efforts in the aspect of policy advocacy as a form of prevention against the buildup of carbon in the atmosphere.
This article competition is Akram’s first competition under the name FPH UI. “I was insecure because there were so many participants who submitted their work, however, thank God I got satisfactory results,” said Akram. This first experience was able to make him a person who has a competitive spirit and doesn’t give up easily. “Don’t hesitate to take the initiative to take part in competition-based activities, because these activities can hone our critical and analytical thinking,” Akram advised FPH UI students. According to him, as prospective health workers, it is our responsibility to be able to create policies/programs/innovations to overcome existing problems, so that participating in competitions can become our “training center” so that we can increase our flying hours and experience. (DFD)