Lesson video

Hello and welcome.

My name is Ms. Harrison.

I'm so excited to be learning with you today.

Today's lesson is called "Environmental impacts of economic development in Indonesia." Grab everything you might need for today's lesson and let's begin our learning.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to explain how economic development has led to air, water and land pollution and deforestation in Indonesia.

Before we can begin this learning, we need to define the keywords in today's lesson.

The keywords in today's lesson are pollution, ecosystem and climate change.

Pollution.

This is a release of harmful substances in the environment that can damage air, water, and land.

Ecosystem.

This is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment.

Climate change.

This is the long-term changes in temperature, precipitation and weather patterns, often caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

Now we have to find these keywords.

We can begin our learning.

The first question we are going to explore in today's lesson is how is air quality damaged by development.

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air that can cause damage to the environment and harm human health.

These pollutants often come from cars, factories, power plants, and burning fossil fuels.

Some of the most dangerous gases include carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.

These gases can cause serious problems. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas, contributing to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Sulphur dioxide can lead to acid rain, which can damage crops, forests, and water sources.

Air pollution can also affect ecosystem, harming animals and plants and can cause respiratory illnesses in people, especially in crowded cities with lots of traffic and industries.

Identify the correct definition of air pollution.

Is it a, the increase of oxygen in the atmosphere, b, the presence of harmful substances in the air, or c, when smoke makes the sky look cloudy? Pause video here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is b.

The presence of harmful substances in the air.

Well done on this task.

Indonesia's rapid economic development has brought about growth and opportunity, but it has also led to serious air pollution with major impacts on the environment and public health.

A large part of the pollution comes from the country's energy sector, transport system, and land clearance for agriculture.

One of the biggest contributors is the use of fire to clear land for palm oil plantations.

These fires release huge amounts of carbon and thick smoke into the air, and they often get out of control, leading to widespread wildfires that threaten forests, wildfire and local communities.

Vehicle emissions are another major source of pollution, especially in crowded urban areas.

It is estimated that 57% of air pollution in Indonesia comes from cars, motorbikes, and trucks due to the high number of vehicles and traffic congestion in cities like Jakarta.

In addition, coal-fired power stations would provide around 60% of Indonesia's electricity, release harmful gases and fine particles into the air.

While they supply the energy need for the factories, homes, and infrastructure, they also contribute heavily to the country's greenhouse gas emissions and overall air pollution levels.

Together, these sources show how economic growth, when not managed sustainably, can lead to serious environmental damage affecting both people's health and the planet.

In 2023, Indonesia experienced widespread destruction wildfires that had major consequences for both the environment and public health.

Many of these fires were deliberately started to clear land for commercial agriculture, especially for palm oil plantations.

This practise is common but extremely harmful, highlighting the serious environmental cost of continued economic growth and demand for the land.

The impacts were severe.

Over one million hectares of land was burned, releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

Around 13,000 hectares of rainforests were destroyed, threatening biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the natural balance of fragile ecosystems. The fires also caused a thick smog that spread over large areas, including Jakarta, where it significantly reduced air quality.

This smog led to health problems for thousands of people and disrupted daily life in the capital.

These events show how economic activities, when not managed sustainably can lead to environmental disasters that affect people and the environment.

I would like you to identify three impacts of the wildfires in 2023 in Indonesia.

Was it, a, air quality improved cities in Indonesia as people left the city for safety reasons, b, over a million hectares of land was burned, releasing CO2, c, 13,000 hectares of rainforests were destroyed, reducing air quality and d, thick smog over Jakarta severely reduced air quality? Pause video here whilst you decide and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The answers are b, over a million hectares of land was burned, releasing CO2, c, 13,000 hectares of rainforest were destroyed, reducing air quality, and d, thick smog over Jakarta severely reduced air quality.

Well done on this.

I hope you managed to get those correct.

Jakarta.

Indonesia's capital largest city is facing serious urban air pollution.

This is closely linked to the city's rapid economic growth, industrialization and rising population.

One of the biggest contributors is vehicle exhausts with millions of cars and motorbikes on the roads every day.

Around 50% of Jakarta's air pollution comes from traffic commissions.

As more people move to the city and rely on private transport, pollution levels continue to rise.

Urban development also plays a major role.

As the city expands more buildings and roads are built, increasing emissions from construction and energy use.

At the same time, the spread of development has led to the loss of green spaces, which normally help absorb pollution and cool the city.

Greenhouse gases and other pollutants from coal-powered stations and constant traffic add to the problem.

These harmful gases contribute not only to local air pollution, but also global climate change.

In addition to affecting people's health, air pollution also harms the environment.

Pollutants settle on plants and trees, slowing their growth and reducing the ability of vegetation to absorb carbon dioxide.

This creates a damaging cycle where pollution makes it harder for the environment to recover.

Jakarta's struggle with air pollution shows how fast urban growth can lead to environmental problems if not managed carefully and sustainably.

True or false? Vehicle exhaust cause only a small amount of air pollution in Indonesia, and urban development has little effect on emissions or green space.

Pause video here whilst you to decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

This answer is false.

I would now like you to explain why.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The reason why this answer is false is because vehicle exhausts are responsible for around 50% of air pollution in Indonesia.

Urban development adds to this by increasing emissions and often removing green spaces that help absorb pollution.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

Over 80% of Indonesia's electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, with power stations and vehicles producing large amounts of greenhouse gases, making Indonesia one of Southeast Asia's biggest CO2 emitters.

This choropleth map shows the number of deaths caused by air pollution across different regions.

Darker areas represent regions with higher numbers of air pollution related to deaths, while lighter areas show regions with fewer deaths.

What do you notice about Indonesia? Pause the video here whilst you take a closer look and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

In 2015, Indonesia recorded 34,924 deaths linked to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.

These fuels release harmful pollutants into the air, contributing to serious health problems like lung disease, heart conditions, and respiratory infections.

While Indonesia's death toll is lower than in some of the world's most polluted countries, it is still the highest in Southeast Asia.

This highlights the growing public health challenges caused by the country's rapid industrial growth, traffic congestion, and reliance on coal-fired power stations.

The figure shows that air pollution is not just an environmental issue, but a major threat to human health, especially in urban areas and industrial areas where fossil fuel use is concentrated.

Reducing fossil fuel use and investing in cleaner energy sources could save thousands of lives each year and improve overall quality of life in Indonesia.

True or false? Most of Indonesia's electricity comes from renewable energy, so it's greenhouse gas emissions are low compared to other Southeast Asian countries.

Pause the video here whilst you decide and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why.

Pause here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The reason why this is false is because over 80% of Indonesia's electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, and power stations and vehicles produce large amounts of greenhouse gases, making Indonesia one of Southeast Asia's biggest greenhouse gas emitters.

Well done on this task.

You've done brilliantly.

Indonesia's carbon emissions have grown alongside its economy, but there are signs that they may be starting to form.

The country has made clear commitments to tackling climate change, aiming to cut CO2 emissions by 41% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2060.

There were noticeable dips in Indonesia's emissions in 2020, largely due to COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced travel, industrial activity and energy use.

However, emissions rose again as the economy recovered.

In 2023, Indonesia recorded its highest level of emissions at 495 million tonnes of CO2.

By 2024, emissions have dropped slightly to 480 million tonnes, suggesting a possible shift towards more sustainable practises or early impacts on environmental policies.

These changes show that while Indonesia still faces major environmental challenges, it is also beginning to take action to reduce emissions and meet its long-term climate targets.

I would like you to identify, which of these years shown had the highest CO2 emissions in Indonesia.

Was, a, 2020, b, 2023 or c, 2024? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Excellent.

The answer is b.

2023.

Well done.

I would now like you to complete the world fill using the words below.

The text is talking about how is air quality damaged by development.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Your texts should read like this.

Indonesia faces serious air pollution problems caused by several factors.

Widespread fires are used to clear land for palm oil plantations, releasing smoking carbon into the air.

Vehicle emission are another major source, responsible for 57% of air pollution in the country.

In addition, coal-fired power stations provide around 60% of Indonesia's electricity supply, increasing pollution.

Well done on this task.

I hope you managed to get that correct.

We're now going to explore our second question of today's lesson.

How has industry polluted water? Water pollution occurs when harmful substances enter rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, damaging aquatic life and water quality.

The main causes of this are, sewage, industrial waste and agricultural runoff.

Why might development increase water pollution in Indonesia? Pause the video here whilst do you have a think and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Let's hear some answers.

Aisha said, "Development often means more factories, and these can release chemicals and waste into rivers, which can increase water pollution." And Alex says, "As cities grow, there is more sewage and rubbish.

If it isn't managed properly, it can end up in rivers and pollute the waters." They're both correct.

I hope you managed to come up with some of the answers like these.

Which of the following are major causes of water pollution in Indonesia? Is it, a, wind erosion, recycling and solar power, b, sewage, industrial waste and agricultural runoff, c, forest fires, traffic and noise pollution, or d, overfishing, oil drilling and tourism? Pause video here whilst you ever think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is b.

Sewage, industrial waste and agricultural runoff.

Well done on this task.

Indonesia's water sources are increasingly polluted due to a combination of industrial activity, mining operations, and domestic waste.

These pollutants are putting ecosystems, wildlife and human health at serious risk.

One major contributor is nickel mining, which releases heavy metals like mercury and arsenic into rivers and streams. These toxic substances contaminate water supplies and can harm both aquatic life and communities who depend on these rivers for drinking water, farming or fishing.

Industrial waste is another significant problem.

Many factories, especially those in manufacturing and processing areas, release untreated waste directly into lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.

Without proper environment regulations or enforcement, this pollution can continue to grow alongside industrial expansion.

Inadequate sanitation systems also contribute to the crisis.

In many areas, especially in formal settlements and rural communities, there is no proper sewage infrastructure.

As a result, human waste often ends up in rivers, polluting the water and spreading diseases.

Together, these sources of pollution show how economic development and lack of infrastructure can have serious consequences for water quality in Indonesia.

Indonesia is the world's largest producer of nickel, mainly in Sulawesi and Halmahera.

Nickel mining has had a major environmental consequence.

The Weda Bay mining and Halmahera is one of the world's largest nickel mining and processing sites.

What is the name of the nickel mining and processing site in Halmahera? Is it, a, the Grasberg mine, b, the Weda Bay mine, c, Morowali Industrial Park, or d, Batu Hijau? Pause the video here whilst you decide and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is b.

Weda Bay mine.

Well done.

How does the Weda Bay mine pollute water? Pause the video here whilst do you ever think of how it might pollute water and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The Weda Bay mine in Eastern Indonesia is one of the world's largest nickel reserves, but its operations of serious consequences for local water sources and ecosystems. Wastewater from mining activities often contain heavy metals like nickel.

When this polluted water enters rivers in coastal areas, it can contaminate ecosystems and pose risks to both human and animal health.

The runoff and sediment from open-cast mining also wash into nearby coastal waters, clouding the water and smothering sensitive habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds.

This can disrupt local fisheries, reducing fish stock and threatening the livelihoods of nearby communities.

In particular, mangrove ecosystems, which are rich in biodiversity and act as a natural filter, are harmed by heavy metal and pollution.

The damage to these habitats affect wildlife including fish, birds, and marine species, and it also reduces the coastline's natural protection against erosion and storms. For local people, contaminated water sources mean limited access to safe drinking water and increased health risks.

Highlighting the environmental cost of resource extraction when not managed responsibly.

In 2022, only 3,878 households in Central Halmahera had access to piped water, meaning many residents rely on untreated sources like rivers or wells.

These sources can be contaminated, especially near mining areas like Weda Bay mine, where runoff may carry heavy metals into the water.

Limited access to clean water increases the risk of diseases and shows a lack of basic infrastructure, despite growing industrial activity in the region.

Aisha and Alex are having a conversation about the effects of nickel mining.

Who is correct? Aisha said, "I think nickel mining at Weda Bay has negative impacts because it pollutes water and damages the environment." Alex said, "Mining at Weda Bay only has positive impacts because it's contributing to Indonesia's economic development." Pause the video here whilst you decide who is correct, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Aisha is correct.

I would now like you to explain why.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The reason why Aisha is correct is because nickel mining at Weda Bay does have negative impacts if it pollutes water with toxic chemicals, harming marine life and local communities.

It also uses large amounts of water which could cause environmental damage.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

When population growth is rapid, city infrastructure often can't keep up.

In many areas, homes and buildings like proper sewage systems and waste is discharged directly into rivers.

In cities like Jakarta, this leads to serious water pollution, turning rivers into unsafe water sources.

Untreated sewage carries bacteria and viruses, making waterborne diseases a major health risk for local communities.

As urban populations continue to grow, improving waste water treatment is essentially to protect public health and the environment.

What is one possible effect of inadequate sewage systems causing water pollution in Indonesia's cities? Is, a, cleaner rivers in the rest of Indonesia, b, more fish in urban areas, c, increased risk of waterborne diseases, d, cheaper prices for bottled drinking water? Pause the video here whilst you ever think and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is c.

Increased risk of waterborne diseases.

Well done.

I would now like you to explain how extracting and processing nickel increases the risk of water pollution in Indonesia.

Lucas said, "Water pollution is when harmful substances enter rivers, lakes and oceans.

Is that right?" Yes.

Lucas is correct.

Laura said, "The Weda Bay mine in Halmahera is one of the world's largest nickel mines." And she's correct as well.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Let's check our answers.

Your answers should read like this.

Extracting and processing nickel in Indonesia can cause water pollution, especially at places like Weda Bay in Halmahera.

When nickel's mined, waste materials, like toxic chemicals and heavy metals, can get washed into rivers and the sea.

This can harm fish and other wildlife, and make the water unsafe for local people to use.

At Weda Bay, large-scale mining and processing creates a lot of waste, which can leak into the environment if not managed properly.

This is a big problem in Indonesia because the country is trying to grow its economy, but also needs to protect the health of its population and its natural resources.

Well done if you manage to include some of those points in your answers.

We're now going to explore our final question of today's lesson.

How does land use change cause pollution? Land pollution is the degradation of land caused by human activities such as deforestation, waste dumping, and industrial development.

It harms the soil, reduces ecosystem health and threatens biodiversity by destroying natural habitats.

Polluted land can also affect food production and increase the risk of flooding and erosion.

Land pollution is a growing issue in areas experiencing rapid economic growth, especially when environmental regulations are weak or not enforced.

Forest clearance for agriculture and mining can increase the risk of landslides and flooding and then contribute to climate change by degrading carbon stores.

In the year 2000, nearly 75% of Indonesia's islands were covered in forests.

Over the following decades, widespread deforestation driven by logging, agriculture and urban development has reduced the forest cover to up to 48% today.

In 2016 alone, over 840,000 hectares of forest were cleared, highlighting the rapid rate of the land loss.

However, more recent trends indicate that deforestation rates have begun to slow, suggesting that policy changes and conservation efforts may be starting to curb further decline.

I would like you to identify the year between 2001 and 2023 in which the most primary forest loss occurred in Indonesia.

Was it, a, 2009, b, 2013, c, 2016, d, 2020? Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is c.

2016.

Well done.

The image on your screen is a satellite image showing the change in forest cover near the Tasman National Park in Borneo, in 2014 and 2022.

What do you notice about the rainforest cover over time? And how can land use change through deforestation increase pollution? Pause the video here whilst you ever think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Rainforest cover is decreasing over time.

Deforestation increases pollution as there are fewer trees to absorb CO2 and it can cause soil erosion which pollutes water.

Well done if you came up with with one of those answers.

Deforestation is driven by the demand for cash crops like palm oil and access to valuable minerals, fueling economic growth.

Pause the video here whilst you ever think of how does deforestation cause land pollution in Indonesia.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Deforestation causes a 50% reduction in soil fertility.

Palm oil expansion has cleared three million hectares of forest with some areas not recovering at all.

Deforestation has led to a 25 to 30% increase in soil erosion in affected areas.

Burning forests to clear land releases toxic ash and particulates contaminate soil.

What is one major way deforestation in Indonesia can cause land pollution? Is a, improving soil fertility by increasing tree growth, b, eroding soil, reducing the quality of the land, c, maintaining healthy rivers and waterways, or d, reducing the amount of toxic chemicals in the soil? Pause the video here whilst you decide and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is b.

Eroding soil, reducing the quality of the land.

Well done.

Mining plays a key role in generating income and supporting industrial growth in Indonesia.

However, it also comes with significant environmental costs.

Mining operations involve removing vegetation and topsoil, leaving the land infertile and slow to recover.

In many places, the land is completely scarred with open pits and waste left behind.

These activities also disrupt ecosystems, destroying wildlife and habitats and reducing biodiversity.

The damage can last for decades affecting both the environment and communities that depend on it.

On the screen, you can see a satellite image showing change that the Grasberg mine in Papua, the world's largest copper and gold mine.

True or false? Mining removes vegetation and topsoil, making the land infertile and slow to recover.

Mining permanently scars the land and ecosystems are disrupted, damaging wildlife habitats.

Pause the video here whilst you decided this statement is true or false, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

This statement is true.

I would now like you to explain why.

Pause the video here and press play to continue.

Excellent.

The reason why this statement is true is because mining projects like the Grasberg mine do remove vegetation and topsoil, which leads to land infertility and slow recovery.

It also permanently scars the landscape, disrupting ecosystems and damaging wildlife habitats.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

You've done brilliantly.

Let's read the statement together.

Deforestation in Indonesia does not cause pollution.

I would like you to decide whether you either agree or disagree with the statement and place a cross on the diagram to indicate your decision.

I would then like you to justify your reasons using information from the lesson and wider research.

Pause the video here once you attempt this task and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Let's check our answers.

This is an example of where you might have placed the cross.

On the statement, deforestation in Indonesia does not cause pollution.

I have put where it says disagree.

This is a possible answer that you might have written for why you disagree with the statement.

I disagree with the statement that deforestation in Indonesia does not cause pollution.

Palm oil expansion has cleared three million hectares of forest.

When forests are cleared for agriculture or logging, it has led to a 25 to 30% increase in soil erosion because the trees that hold the soil in place are removed.

The soil is washed into rivers, causing pollution.

Additionally, deforestation often involves burning trees, which releases CO2 and particulates, causing air pollution and contributing to climate change.

The loss of trees also reduces the land's ability to absorb carbon, contributing to climate change.

Therefore, deforestation in Indonesia does pollute the land.

Well done on this task, you've done brilliantly.

And I hope you managed to include some of those points in your answer.

We've now come to the end of our learning on "Environmental impact of economic development in Indonesia." Before we finish this lesson, let's summarise everything we've learned today.

Indonesia's economic growth has had significant environmental impacts.

Air pollution is caused by deforestation fires, coal power and traffic, especially in big cities such as Jakarta.

Wildfires release carbon dioxide and lower air quality, which has serious health impacts.

Water pollution comes from mining, industrial waste and inadequate sanitation.

Waterborne diseases like cholera, impact on human health.

Land pollution and deforestation for palm oil and mining have caused habitat loss, soil erosion and increased carbon emissions, contributing to climate change.

Well done in today's lesson, you've done fantastically, and I look forward to learning with you again very soon.