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Climate Change Challenges Tsunami Survivors

Reconstruction of destroyed homes focused on confronting the consequences of climate change: reducing dependence on fossil fuel energy and concentrating on solar power.

When a tsunami and a massive earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale hit the Indian Ocean coastal areas in December 2004, the Island of Nias, off northwest Sumatra in Indonesia, was not spared. It left a devastating aftermath of hundreds dead and 90 percent of homes, buildings and agricultural lands destroyed. Measuring 5,600 square kilometers, Nias Island is the largest is the largest island among the 130 off the northern coast of Sumatra. It has a current population of 440,000 people, who boasts a unique and beautiful culture that is quite different dialects are spoken around the island, the major language is Li Niha. Besides fishing and farming, the people of Nias also earned additional income from the increasing number of tourist who came not just for the distinct cultural sights, but to enjoy one of the world’s beautiful surfing sites.

However, the devastation caused by the tsunami-cum-earthquake was so traumatic that the Nias people have only just begun to take up their lives once more, with a lot of help from the International community, which generously came to their aid. Unite in Diversity (UID) a non-profit organization in Indonesia, was entrusted by the Monaco Asia Society (under the patronage of HS Prince Albert II of Monaco) in partnership with Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa, Conservation International and Zero to One foundations organized the relocation and rebuilding of Sirombu village. More than 234 duplex houses were constructed and the first families moved in within eight months into the now renamed Monaco Village. But perhaps, quite distinct from other housing projects, one major problem faced by villages was addressed the provision of electricity. The new location of the Village is off the public utilities electricity grid.

Several ideas were initially suggested to solve the problem, including the local government’s plan to extend the electricity grid to the village or to purchase a generator. However, these solutions would only become tomorrow’s problem, as it would economically affect the villagers who would have to pay monthly electricity bills or buy diesel to run the generators. Above all, the usage of traditional sources of energy was not a solution that was conductive to reducing the negative impact of climate change.

UID member Frans Sugiarta, who trained at the Massachusets Institute of Technology in the United States, engaged all key stakeholders from the villagers and local authorities to discuss the problem. He applied the U-Process of engagement, which is essentially one process with five movements: co-initiate (collectively building a common intent where the leaders stop and listen to the multi stakeholders), con-sensing (collectively observing the situation with open mind and open heart), presenting (collectively reflecting and envisioning a shared future that wish to emerge), co-creating (collectively taking steps to realizing the shared future) and co-evolving (collectively creating innovative solution).

This process helped UID to analyze the electricity problem in a more holistic perspective, covering economic, social structure, environment and technological factors. Based on this collective effort from all stakeholders, the solar energy power turned out to be the source of energy of choice to provide lighting in the villagers. This exercise has also created awareness among the villagers and local authorities of the consequences of using non-renewable source of energy such as fossil fuels.

This is the beginning of the journey for the villagers to understand the benefits of using renewable, clean and economical source of energy; the sun.

Recognizing the climate change challenge to mankind as well as towards biodiversity, UID has channeled resources into creating a leadership education program to meet these needs for Indonesia, while engaging with the world. IDEAS (Innovative Dynamic Education and Action for Sustainability) Indonesia is a program to be introduced for the first time in Indonesia for young leaders from government, business, civil society and media.

IDEAS Indonesia, collaborating with Conservation International Indonesia and other local and International partners, focuses on conservation, education, and disaster management.

ASIAVIEWS (November - December 2007 Edition, page 9)
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