Indonesia

Finding a climate-change message in every plastic bottle

Eping’s Plan

Watch Eping's story

Words by Annisa Hanifa | Reading time: 3 minutes

On the island of Lembata, Indonesia, the impact of climate change can be felt in every breath. The hot weather and arid landscape are a recipe for the fine dust that can trigger respiratory problems in urban areas that receive as little as 10 to 331 millimetres of rain annually. The trees and plants that would help improve air quality and deliver shady relief are few and far between. “One of the victims of climate change is ourselves,” says Eping. The 18-year-old islander has dedicated herself to fighting the problem from the ground up, through a series of small actions that add up in big ways. After attending community training where she learned how to make water traps with plastic bottles, filter water and irrigate the land, Eping began planting greenery, vegetables and medicinal plants in her yard. Recently, Eping planted 50 pineapple seedlings using organic fertilizer made from chicken manure. The chickens she raises (a long-time hobby!) live in the front of the house while the planting is done at the back. The entire space has become what she calls a “mini park” that she and her family can refresh together. Now attending university in Yogyakarta, Eping continues to seek out innovations that conserve water, promote greenery and improve everyday life. She encourages classmates to fight climate change through actions as simple as sorting their trash or planting ornamental flowers on campus. “Climate change is not a plague that can come and go,” Eping says. “This change is caused by humans who only want to live instantaneously. Planet Earth needs us for its recovery. We are not just affected by climate change; we can also overcome it.”

eping’s Plan

Learn about the impacts of climate change. Develop a practical skill set to adapt. Spread knowledge and seek out new strategies.

By the Numbers

• In addition to capacity-building initiatives such as Girls Driving Climate Change Adaptation, Plan International Indonesia has distributed more than 1 million litres of clean water to affected residents in five residential locations.

• The health and safety of 1,874 people, many of whom are children, have been affected by the drought.

• The climate in Lembata is tropical, with an average long dry season of eight to nine months and a relatively short rainy season of three to four months on average. This makes it vulnerable to drought disaster, which is currently happening.

Planting seeds of change Eping has dedicated herself to fighting climate change from the ground up, through a series of small actions that add up in big ways. In the following slides, other young women share how they are driving change in their communities in response to a changing climate.

Eping is one of 25 girls who participated in Girls Driving Climate Change Adaptation, a year-long project implemented by Plan International Indonesia in 2021 to help children and youth stay positive and productive during the pandemic. Through this educational program, young people learned about the impact of climate change as well as practical ways to mitigate its effects on Lembata’s fragile ecosystem – and the everyday lives of the families who live there. ”Simple actions – such as making water traps and infiltration holes, developing yards with plants and vegetables and practising the habit of bringing your own water and water bottles to school – all assisted girls in capacity building related to climate change,” says Erlina Dangu, the program’s implementation manager.

How Plan International Helped

Gema “I thought of doing a drip irrigation or plant infusion project,” says Gema. “It is very efficient because it uses items around us such as plastic bottles, at the same time reducing plastic waste around us.”

Martina Martina is one of 25 girls who participated in Girls Driving Climate Change Adaptation, a year-long project implemented by Plan International Indonesia in 2021 on the island of Lembata to help children and youth stay positive and productive during the pandemic.

Oni For her project for Girls Driving Climate Change Adaptation, Oni says she “chose to plant vegetables in my garden.”

Samsri Samsri waters the garden she planted for the climate change project.

On the island of Lembata in Indonesia, 18-year-old Eping is reminded of climate change in her community whenever someone coughs. The island’s hot, dusty conditions trigger respiratory problems, especially in urban areas where green spaces are few and far between. In this short film, explore how Eping is helping her neighbours – and her environment – breathe easier with solutions perfected in her own backyard. One of the victims of climate change is ourselves.”

Photography by Agus Haru