Empowering Indonesia’s Vulnerable: The Urgent Call for the Nation’s First Climate Justice Bill

Climate Change and Its Impact on Indonesia’s Vulnerable Communities

In Indonesia, the effects of climate change hit hardest those who are least responsible for it. Take Muninggar, a 48-year-old former fish farmer. “Going to Dubai was an act of desperation,” she says. With her fish ponds ruined by unpredictable weather, she was left with no choice but to seek work abroad, leaving her young children behind.

Muninggar’s experience reflects a broader struggle among many Indonesians. As erratic weather and rising temperatures destroy crops and livelihoods, communities are forced to migrate in search of better opportunities. This often leads them into exploitative situations abroad.

The Plight of Migrant Workers

In recent years, Indonesia has seen a rise in labor migration due to climate pressures. For instance, farmers like Resilianto have faced severe changes in weather, making it nearly impossible to sustain their livelihoods. Many, like him, end up on fishing vessels, where they suffer poor working conditions and abuses.

According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, around 32.6 million people faced climate-related displacement in 2022, a number expected to soar to 1.2 billion by 2050. In Indonesia, nearly 80% of the workforce is employed in agriculture and fisheries, sectors that are particularly vulnerable to climate change, leading to a cycle of displacement.

Indigenous Communities and Climate Change

Indigenous peoples also feel the brunt of these changes. The Dayak farmers in Borneo, for example, have noted significant shifts in weather patterns that disrupt traditional farming. Seasonal cycles that were once predictable have become chaotic, leading to food insecurity.

Yosef Uset, a Dayak farmer, states, “Before, there were clear seasons. Now, the weather is unpredictable.” Despite living it daily, many from Indigenous communities have never even heard the term “climate change.”

The Experience of People with Disabilities

Another often-overlooked group is people with disabilities. Rizal Assor, who depends on a wheelchair, shares that while he contributes little to climate change, he has been disproportionately affected. “The weather was calmer before,” he notes, emphasizing how unpredictable storms make daily life more challenging.

Communities frequently overlook people with disabilities in crisis planning and disaster responses. Rizal added that government aid is often not accessible, which leads to further exclusion in times of need.

Advocacy for Climate Justice

In response to these pressing issues, civil society groups are rallying for a Climate Justice Bill in Indonesia. This bill aims to enshrine climate justice as a constitutional right, ensuring that vulnerable communities are recognized and protected under the law.

Raynaldo Sembiring, director of the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law, notes that Indonesia lacks specific laws addressing the climate crisis and its impact on the most vulnerable. Advocacy groups emphasize that addressing climate justice is not just a matter of environmental protection; it’s about the right to live and work with dignity.

Despite a slow legislative process, some lawmakers, like Syarif Hasan, recognize the need for urgent action. He believes, “Climate doesn’t have an ID card. It belongs to all of us, so we must fight for its protection.”

Conclusion

The struggles of Muninggar, Resilianto, and others illustrate a critical point: climate change affects lives in profound ways. It forces people to migrate and exposes them to risks and hardships. As they continue to push for recognition and justice, their voices mark a growing movement within Indonesia and beyond—a movement calling for a world that prioritizes equity and dignity in the face of climate change.

For further context, you can read the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center’s report, which outlines climate-related migration trends worldwide.

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