BMKG head says Banyuwangi's tourism concept helps avert climate change

The ecotourism concept applied in Banyuwangi District, East Java, is consistent with efforts aimed at handling adversary impacts of climate change, Head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati stated.

"Banyuwangi is highlighting mountains as its tourism destinations. Moreover, the district has been hosting eco-friendly sport tourism events, such as cycling and running competitions," she noted in a statement received in Banyuwangi on Sunday.

Karnawati observed that the district is a model of a region that has been successful in promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle by leveraging natural tourism activities.

"I get a distinct impression when visiting Banyuwangi, as this region has a more refreshing aura. Banyuwangi has successfully become a national (tourism) destination by staying true to its (tourism) concept," she said.

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The BMKG head underlined that climate change had become a threat to the planet, triggering the world's average surface temperature to rise, which, in turn, led to extreme weather.

According to experts, she added, the world needs to ensure that the increase in temperature does not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius before the year 2100 to prevent even harsher extreme weather from hitting the globe.

However, the World Meteorological Organization has announced that the world's temperature has increased by 1.4 degrees Celsius, she noted.

"This trend has led to extreme conditions, such as the intensified frequency of extreme weather. Changing weather, floods, and landslides are the results of global warming," she explained.

She then pointed out that experts had predicted that the world is expected to face a water crisis in the next decade and a food crisis in 2050 if people do not start adopting a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

"Hence, we need to start adopting a better lifestyle, reducing the amount of carbon emissions generated, and applying an environmentally friendly mindset," she stated.

Karnawati then expressed her support for Banyuwangi's ecotourism concept, noting that the district has been successful in genuinely implementing the concept.

She opined that the green concept had helped Banyuwangi boost its economy and suppress its rate of poverty.

She also lauded Banyuwangi District Head Ipuk Fiestiandani for her success in devising and implementing policies that promote an eco-friendly lifestyle.

"I will invite Madam District Head to speak at international forums that highlight the role of women in promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle," she remarked.

Meanwhile, Fiestiandani emphasized that Banyuwangi had been consistently developing its tourism potential by spotlighting the concept of ecotourism.

She also spoke of having met with BMKG's Karnawati on December 24 and was briefed on the district government's measures for maximizing Banyuwangi's tourism potential.

"We are fully aware that Banyuwangi wields natural potential to its advantage. For that reason, we will not turn the district into a metropolitan tourism destination," she noted.