TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations in Indonesia and partners marked World Environment Day 2026 through the Green Community Festival, urging communities, youth, civil society, and the wider public to take action and contribute to combating climate change. The public event at Taman Martha Christina Tiahahu at Taman Literasi Blok M, Jakarta, brought together around 1.000 participants to talk, learn, and take action for the planet.
The event came at a moment when the climate crisis is accelerating before our eyes. The world has just lived through the hottest years ever recorded, while climate disasters are becoming more frequent, destructive, and costly. Every fraction of a degree matters, and every moment counts, especially for communities already facing the impacts of climate change.
“Climate action is not only about big policies. It is also about the choices we make every day, at home, at school, in our communities, and in the way we care for each other,” said Miklos Gaspar, Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Indonesia. “World Environment Day is a moment to listen to the signals the Earth is sending us, and to respond with action.”
The event featured urban farming workshops, a talk show on green investment, sustainability games, music performances, and exhibition booths from UNICEF, UNEP, IOM, UNHCR, UNDP, FAO, UN Women, government partners, civil society organizations, and environmental communities.
The campaign also highlighted the links between climate change, food systems, displacement, livelihoods, and gender equality, connecting World Environment Day with World Refugee Day and the International Year of Women Farmers.
Cool School Challenges: Climate Ideas from Young People
One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of the Cool School Challenges, a youth climate initiative inviting high schools across Indonesia to share ideas and actions for a more sustainable school and community.
The challenge received 76 submissions from high schools across Indonesia. From these, 15 finalists were selected from Java, East Kalimantan, Aceh, West Nusa Tenggara, East Java, Central Java, and West Java.
The students’ ideas ranged from school greening, waste reduction, urban farming, energy-saving actions, environmental campaigns, and community-based climate solutions.
“The 76 submissions show that young people are not waiting for others to act. They are already starting from their own schools and communities,” said Miklos Gaspar. “That gives us hope.”
The winner of the Cool School Challenges was from SMA Al Umanaa Boarding School, Sukabumi, West Java. The second winner was Santa Ursula School from Jakarta, while the third winner was SMAN 1 Bekasi from West Java.
The United Nations in Indonesia congratulates all finalists and participating schools for their creativity, commitment, and leadership in climate action.
World Environment Day is a reminder that protecting the planet can start with simple, everyday actions, such as planting, reducing waste, saving energy, choosing more sustainable food, and caring for communities most affected by climate change. But the message is also urgent: the window for action is narrowing. What we do now will shape the safety, resilience, and future of the next generation.
Read: Blok M Set to Become Jakarta's Pilot Low-Emission Zone
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