Climate Risk Mitigation: Preparing for the Impacts of El Niño 

The specter of El Niño looms large over East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and, by extension, over Indonesia’s food security. With the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) forecasting the continuation of this climatic event into 2024, concerns are rising about its potential to trigger a global food crisis. 

El Niño, characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, disrupts typical weather patterns. This disruption can lead to prolonged dry spells in food-exporting nations, impacting the production of essential crops like soy, a crucial ingredient in animal feed. A shortfall in global animal feed production would inevitably ripple through to countries like Indonesia, affecting food availability and prices.  

The BMKG’s head, Dwikorita Karnawati, warns of the broader implications of these climatic changes. The ongoing rise in Earth’s surface temperature, which has been consistently breaking records – with July 2023 noted as the hottest July on record – is a clear indicator of these profound shifts. This warming is contributing to global water hotspots or droughts, posing a significant threat to food security. 

By mid-century, the indicators for food security in most parts of the world are expected to turn increasingly dire, with regions marked in shades of orange to black, signaling high vulnerability. Indonesia is predicted to fall into the medium vulnerability category (orange). This is particularly alarming as it implies difficulties in importing food from countries experiencing even more severe droughts.  

The BMKG, acknowledging these challenges, is intensifying its efforts in climate adaptation training, enhancing climate literacy, and promoting the transition from fossil to non-fossil energy sources. The agency’s observations suggest a sharp, unpredictable trend in climate change, urging all sectors to consider these changes in their planning and infrastructure designs. 

The implications for Indonesia’s long-term development plans are profound. The looming threat of a food crisis calls for a concerted effort in mitigating climate change impacts. This includes adopting sustainable practices, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, and enhancing resilience against climate-induced food shortages. 

For Yayasan Bambu Lingkungan Lestari (YBLL), actively involved in the Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 project in NTT, these developments are a call to action. YBLL recognizes the need to adapt its strategies in response to these risks. The prolonged dry spells could endanger the young seedlings crucial for the project’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As such, YBLL is proactively seeking collaborations with strategic stakeholders to secure water supplies, essential for the survival of these plantings. 

As the effects of El Niño and the broader impact of climate change become increasingly evident, Indonesia faces a crucial period of adaptation and mitigation. Organizations like YBLL are at the forefront of this effort, demonstrating the importance of foresight and collaboration in addressing these emerging challenges. 

Source: 
https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/tech/20231203122404-37-494097/bmkg-ungkap-petaka-besar-ini-bayangi-ri-akibat-krisis-iklim 
https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20231230011713-4-501421/siaga-bmkg-ungkap-tanda-tanda-petaka-ancam-indonesia-emas 

El Niño in East Nusa Tenggara 2023: A Climate Challenge Requiring Action

In 2023, the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) experienced a challenging demonstration of the effects of climate change, particularly through the El Niño phenomenon. This climatic event, characterized by an unusual warming of the Pacific Ocean, significantly altered the region’s rainfall patterns. The situation presented a pressing challenge to an area already grappling with climate extremes. 

Throughout the year, NTT was marked by prolonged dry spells, as evidenced by data from the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). In December, while most of the province experienced short dry periods ranging from 1 to 5 days, East Sumba and South Central Timor faced extended dry spells lasting up to 30 days. These long periods of aridity affected not just agricultural practices, but also severely strained water resources in these communities.  

Rainfall levels across NTT remained low, with most areas receiving between 0 to 50 mm in December 2023. The uneven distribution of rainfall was notable, with certain regions like East Manggarai, East Sumba, Rote, and South Central Timor experiencing higher levels of up to 300 mm. This disparity in rainfall underscores the complex and localized nature of climate impacts in the region. 

Heading into early 2024, the BMKG’s forecasts indicated a continued trend of low to moderate rainfall for most of NTT. The probability of receiving 21 to 50 mm of rainfall in early January was high, affecting the region’s agricultural cycles and water availability. 

Rahmatulloh Adji, head of the NTT Class II Climatology Station, highlighted that the persistence of El Niño into early 2024 would likely delay the onset of the rainy season and shorten its duration across Indonesia. The concurrent positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) was expected to further influence these climatic patterns, contributing to a delayed and erratic rainy season. 

In response to these challenges, BMKG and local authorities emphasized the need for community adaptation and mitigation efforts. Strategies such as water conservation, fire prevention, and health preparedness for respiratory infections were highlighted as critical. These efforts underscore the need for proactive and informed community participation in addressing the impacts of prolonged dry periods and irregular rainfall. 

The situation in NTT in 2023 serves as a stark reminder of the realities of climate change and the importance of sustainable environmental management. The experience of El Niño in this region underscores the need for ongoing climate monitoring, accurate forecasting, and community-centric adaptation strategies. As NTT and similar regions around the world continue to navigate these challenges, the role of organizations like BMKG in providing reliable information and guidance is increasingly crucial. The lessons learned from this year’s climatic challenges will be vital in shaping future responses and resilience strategies in the face of a changing climate.  

Source:
https://www.rri.co.id/nasional/455702/wilayah-ntt-tiga-hari-ke-depan-belum-ada-hujan
https://timesindonesia.co.id/peristiwa-daerah/482004/bmkg-merilis-hari-tanpa-hujan-di-ntt-ini-daerah-yang-mengalaminya https://mediaindonesia.com/nusantara/615179/bmkg-prakirakan-el-nino-di-ntt-bertahan-sampai-awal-2024 

The Looming Food Security Crisis in Indonesia 

By Yuventius Nicky

As Indonesia navigated through the tumultuous climate patterns of 2023, the threat to food security emerged as a grave concern.  

The extreme changes in climate across the archipelago, primarily driven by the El Niño phenomenon, have cast a shadow over the nation’s food production capabilities. 

Throughout the year, Indonesia grappled with uncharacteristically high temperatures during its dry season. The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) reported that 2023 was a year of record-breaking heat.  

BMKG’s head, Dwikorita, noted in a CNBC Indonesia report (2023) that “July 2023 was notably the hottest month, with heatwaves in Western America reaching as high as 53 degrees Celsius.”  

Such extreme weather events signal a disturbing trend that has escalated over the years, and yet has not provoked a sense of crisis. 

Should El Niño continue this year, the agricultural sector, the backbone of Indonesia’s food supply, would face severe challenges due to prolonged dry spell.  

In areas like West Java, known for their extensive agricultural fields, El Niño brought about a high risk of crop failure.  

The BMKG urged the Ministry of Agriculture to initiate measures like rainwater harvesting and efficient water management to combat the potential agricultural setbacks. But, is this enough? 

The 2019-2020 El Niño event led to extreme weather conditions like droughts and floods, affecting agricultural productivity worldwide.  

In Southeast Asia, countries like Thailand and Vietnam experienced reduced rice yields due to drought, impacting global rice markets (FAO, 2020). Similarly, in East Africa, El Niño-induced irregular rains led to poor harvests, exacerbating food insecurity in the region (UN OCHA, 2020).  

Said examples highlight El Niño’s role in disrupting agricultural production, leading to fluctuations in global food availability and prices. 

The year 2023 is a vivid warning sign for Indonesia, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic planning and proactive measures to safeguard the nation’s food security against the backdrop of an ever-changing climate landscape.  

The emerging scenario demands a concerted effort to adapt to these challenges, ensuring that the country’s food supply remains robust in the face of environmental adversity. 

Sources:  

“7 Daerah RI Terancam Panas Kering Mendidih Menurut BMKG,” CNBC Indonesia, 2023.” (https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/tech/20231231124458-37-501604/7-daerah-ri-terancam-panas-kering-mendidih-menurut-bmkg) 

The FAO’s 2020 report (http://www.fao.org/3/ca6911en/ca6911en.pdf) 

UN OCHA’s 2020 report on East Africa (https://www.unocha.org/eastern-africa-ocha). 

Biochar: A Potential Tool in Degraded Land Restoration for a Sustainable Future 

By Yuventius Nicky 

The search for sustainable environmental solutions brings us to the promising realm of biochar as a potential tool in Yayasan Bambu Lingkungan Lestari’s (YBLL)’s restoration of degraded land. We will dive into biochar’s role in soil amendment and its potential application in land restoration efforts. 

What is Biochar? 

Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich form of charcoal produced through the pyrolysis of organic materials, such as agricultural waste, in a low-oxygen environment.  

This process, highlighted in “Nature Communications” (Woolf et al., 2010), can turn biochar into a powerful tool for improving soil fertility and sequestering carbon, reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. 

Biochar in Soil Amendment and Land Restoration 

Biochar’s application in soil amendment is well-known, but its role in land restoration, especially on degraded lands, is gaining attention.  

Organizations like YBLL are exploring biochar’s potential to rehabilitate lands that have lost their productive capacity due to erosion, nutrient depletion, or other environmental factors.  

By enhancing soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, biochar can revitalize these lands, making them suitable for sustainable agriculture and forestry. 

Global Endorsement and Environmental Benefits 

The environmental benefits of biochar have received global recognition. The European Biochar Foundation and the USDA’s National Organic Program have endorsed biochar for its positive impact on soil health and its role in carbon sequestration.  

This global endorsement positions biochar as a key player in sustainable land management and climate change mitigation. 

Sustainable Production: A Key to Environmental Impact 

The production of biochar is crucial in determining its environmental impact. Modern pyrolysis methods focus on being carbon-negative, ensuring that the process captures more carbon than it releases.  

This sustainable production aligns with YBLL’s goal of minimizing environmental impact while restoring degraded lands. 

The Importance of Clean Emissions in Biochar Production 

When producing biochar through pyrolysis, the quality of emissions is paramount. Unlike traditional biomass burning, which releases a significant amount of CO2 and other pollutants into the atmosphere, sustainable pyrolysis must prioritize clean, minimal emissions.  

This approach ensures that the overall process contributes to a net reduction in atmospheric carbon levels, aligning with global climate goals. 

Achieving Net Negative Emissions 

Net negative emissions in biochar production are achieved when the process captures more carbon than it releases. This is feasible through controlled pyrolysis, which not only produces high-quality biochar but also minimizes harmful emissions.  

A study in the “Journal of Cleaner Production” (Smith, 2016) emphasizes the need for advanced pyrolysis techniques that optimize carbon sequestration while ensuring the emissions are as clean as possible. 

The Co-Production of Wood Vinegar 

An added advantage of clean pyrolysis is the co-production of wood vinegar, a by-product with significant agricultural uses.  

Wood vinegar, obtained from the condensation of pyrolysis vapors, can be used as a natural pesticide and soil conditioner.  

This not only adds value to the biochar production process but also contributes to a more holistic approach to sustainable agriculture. 

Outlook 

The potential of biochar in soil amendment and land restoration, especially in the context of YBLL’s environmental initiatives, is significant.  

Its application in degraded land restoration offers a sustainable path to revitalizing these lands while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.  

As YBLL and other organizations continue to explore biochar’s full potential, its role in creating a more sustainable and resilient environment becomes increasingly evident. 

References: 

Woolf, D., Amonette, J. E., Street-Perrott, F. A., Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (2010). Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. *Nature Communications*. [Link](https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms1053) 

 Lehmann, J., Gaunt, J., & Rondon, M. (2006). Bio-char sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems – A review. *Environmental Science & Technology*. [Link](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es0601278) 

Smith, A. (2016). Clean Emissions in Biochar Production: A Review. *Journal of Cleaner Production*. [Link](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652616309664