Book Launch: Navigating Climate Change Issues in the 2024 Election
Jakarta, 19 October 2023
In accordance with the mission of the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub (MCCCRH) to boost climate change literacy, MCCCRH Indonesia Node held a public discussion, book launch, and workshop titled "Navigating Climate Change Issues in the 2024 Election".
On 19th October 2023, the event took place, bringing together politicians, civil society organisations (CSOs), think-tank, and well-known media outlets. The event attracted the attention of a diverse audience of around 70 people, including two notable main speakers; Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, Deputy General Chair of the Gerindra Party, from presidential candidates Prabowo Subianto and Surya Tjandra, spokesperson for presidential candidate Anies Baswedan.
Chair of Monash MCCCRH Indonesia Node, Ika Idris began the public discussion by presenting MCCCRH Indonesia Node research entitled "Modelling the Indonesian Politicians' Interests in Climate Change". The research indicates that political party leaders' social media accounts hold minimal comments on climate change.
The event was extensively covered by leading media outlets, including Kompas, Republika , Tirto, iNews , Media Indonesia and Betahita. The event received a total of 25 news coverages.
By comparison, only 8% of climate-related posts from political party leaders were discussed in detail, compared to 80% of Ministerial group posts. "The climate change issue discussed by politicians is still at the policy level and does not touch the impacts felt directly by society," said Ika at the event.
Key Takeaways
While the debate over voter priorities in terms of the economy and everyday life concerns among voters dominated the event, several critical takeaways emerged:
1. Climate Awareness: The discussion served to raise awareness among the public and political leaders about the urgency of addressing climate change.
2. Harmonising Issues: Both presidential candidates' representatives agreed that climate change is a problematic topic to talk about. However, the two presidential candidate spokespersons recognise that climate change is urgent. The discussion emphasised the need to find methods to connect the issue of climate change with voters' everyday lives to foster a better understanding and boost climate change awareness.
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About MCCCRH
Established in 2016, the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub/MCCRH is based at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, and has other research centers in Malaysia and now in Indonesia. MCCCRH draws on university resources to support climate change communications.
In Australia itself, MCCCRH collaborates with the latest media and research results. Climate change communication best practices can be achieved by linking media and research results.
In the future, MCCCRH in Indonesia hopes to build media, communication, and education programs to convey accurate, clear, relevant solutions and knowledge regarding climate change. MCCCRH also aims to facilitate global climate change literacy, where all stakeholders, the Indonesian government, the media, the business sector, and the public, can make decisions regarding the growing impacts of climate change based on the correct information.
Contact person:
Dessy Rosalina, Research Assistant, MCCCRH Indonesia Node - email: dessy.rosalina@monash.edu