Indonesia dan AS Tandatangani MOU Perlindungan Lingkungan

Selasa (28/6/2011) - Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup hari Senin di Jakarta menandatangani Nota kesepahaman dengan Environment Protection Agency atau Badan Perlindungan Lingkungan Amerika Serikat untuk program kerjasama dibidang perlindungan lingkungan.

Menteri Negara Lingkungan Hidup Gusti Muhammad Hatta mengatakan kerjasama tersebut meliputi pencegahan dan pengelolaan emisi gas rumah kaca, pencemaran udara serta air, limbah, degradasi lingkungan, edukuasi dan kampanye lingkungan.
Selain itu, bentuk kerjasama lainnya juga meliputi transfer teknologi dan pertukaran informasi di bidang perlindungan lingkungan hidup, pelatihan dan kunjungan studi serta membantu membuat perundang-undangan tentang lingkungan. Kerjasama ini akan berlaku selama lima  tahun.
Nota kesepahaman (MOU) dengan Badan Perlindungan Lingkungan Hidup (EPA) Amerika Serikat ini, kata Hatta, merupakan langkah positif dalam upaya untuk menghadapi tantangan besar dalam melindungi lingkungan hidup.
Kerjasama tersebut, menurut Hatta, juga akan menambah pengetahuan dan keahlian Indonesia dalam meminimalkan dampak kerusakan lingkungan. Hal ini dikarenakan EPA telah memiliki pengalaman dalam menangani berbagai isu lingkungan terkait dengan perbatasan dengan negara tetangga, penanganan rehabilitasi daerah pertambangan dan daerah yang tercemar berat.
Lebih lanjut Hatta mengatakan,

10 Simple Things You can Do Today to Go Green and Save Green

There are 10 simple things you can do today to help reduce your environmental impact, save money, and live a happier, healthier life.

How can we live lightly on the Earth and save money at the same time?

Climate change is in the news. It seems like everyone's "going green." We're glad you want to take action, too. Luckily, many of the steps we can take to stop climate change can make our lives better. Our grandchildren-and their children-will thank us for living more sustainably. Let's start now.

1. Save energy to save money.
   
   
   
   
   • Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
   • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
   • Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
   • Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
   • Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
2. Save water to save money.
   
   • Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
   • Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
   • Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
   • Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.
3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).
   
   
    
   
   • Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
   • Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
   • Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.