FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 2, 2025
Climate and clean air advocates launched the “Life in a Bubble” campaign in Jakarta to highlight the importance of clean air as a fundamental right. (DIW / 350.org Asia)
Advocates in Jakarta call for clean air and just energy transition
Jakarta – Climate and clean air advocates launched the “Life in a Bubble” campaign during the Jakarta Car Free Day on Sunday to highlight the importance of clean air as a fundamental right that should be guaranteed for all.
A collaboration between Bicara Udara, Coalition of Pedestrians (KOPEKA), Clean Mobility Collective South East Asia (CMC SEA) and 350 Pilipinas, supported by 350 Indonesia and Climate Rangers Jakarta, the campaign features a striking visual installation of giant transparent bubbles occupied by actors, symbolizing how a privileged few are protected from air pollution, while the majority of people breathe dirty air caused by fossil fuels in energy and transportation.
According to the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency Laboratory, Jakarta’s air quality remains unhealthy. In 2024, the city’s air contained an average of 43 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic meter (43 µg/m3). This is nearly three times higher than Indonesia’s safe limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (15 µg/m3), meaning residents are breathing air with dangerous levels of pollution that can harm their lungs and overall health.
The “Life in a Bubble” is a campaign, originally spearheaded by 350 Pilipinas in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, that encourages communities, the government, and other stakeholders to take concrete actions to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
“Worsening air pollution in Jakarta and other cities must be urgently addressed, primarily by ending fossil fuels in transport and energy systems. Clean, renewable energy solutions to the pollution crisis exist, but authorities ignore these solutions as if living inside a bubble. We hope that with this symbolic action, we can reimagine a city with clean and blue skies,”
— Irfan Toni Herlambang, 350.org Asia Digital Manager.
“Worsening air pollution in Jakarta and other cities must be urgently addressed, primarily by ending fossil fuels in transport and energy systems. Clean, renewable energy solutions to the pollution crisis exist, but authorities ignore these solutions as if living inside a bubble. We hope that with this symbolic action, we can reimagine a city with clean and blue skies,” said Irfan Toni Herlambang, 350.org Asia Digital Manager.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), as a major source of development finance, has a big role to play in phasing out fossil fuels and ensuring clean air in the region. As the ADB-organized Asia Clean Energy Forum starts today in Manila, 350.org Asia calls on the ADB to ensure a just energy transition by supporting community-led renewables.
“As young people in Jakarta, a few days of clean, clear skies already feels like a blessing. But clean air shouldn’t be a rarity. Indonesia faces a serious air pollution problem, yet we already have the solutions. With our abundant sun, wind, and water resources driven by the power of the people, we can and should build a clean, just, and sustainable future. Communities play a crucial role in driving this transition,” said Ginanjar Aryasuta, Director of Climate Rangers Jakarta.
“There must be concrete action to control chronic air pollution in Jabodetabek and other big cities, for the sake of fresh air for all,” said Amalia S Bendang, Coordinator of KOPEKA (The Pedestrian Coalition).
The Biru Voices Ambassadors 2024, a parental and community platform for clean air, joined the event to express their concerns about air pollution and future generations. “As mothers, we imagine that we have been trying to build ‘bubbles’ to protect our children from air pollution, for example by limiting activities at home (stay at home). We hope that one day our children will be able to breathe freely without the ‘bubbles’,” said Aprila Majid and Lisa Anggraeny.
The campaign was welcomed by Jakarta residents, with many people visiting the education booth to understand the impacts of air pollution and the importance of taking action. The event was also enlivened by the appearance of Ho Katarsis, an artist who became the main actor of the movie Jalanan.
The groups hope that the symbolic action can trigger a greater public push for the government to take concrete steps to address air pollution, including adopting air quality standards that truly protect public health and phasing out fossil fuels.
See photos here. Photo credit: DIW/350.org Asia
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Notes to Editors/ Media Contacts::
Bicara Udara is an organization in Indonesia established in 2020 with the aim of building a community movement to voice the right to clean air for city residents. Contact: Primadita Rahma, Head of Program Bicara Udara; Email: primadita@bicaraudara.id
The Pedestrian Coalition (KOPEKA) is a national movement in Indonesia that promotes pedestrian-friendly cities/districts, including healthier air for pedestrians. Contact: Amalia S Bendang, Coordinator of the Pedestrian Coalition (KOPEKA); Email: koalisipejalankaki@gmail.com
The Clean Mobility Collective Southeast Asia (CMC SEA) is an association of organizations and communities in Southeast Asia working together to promote clean and sustainable transportation and healthier cities.
350.org is a global grassroots movement dedicated to ending the age of fossil fuels and building a world of community-led renewable energy for all. 350 Pilipinas, its affiliate, is an organization supporting the Philippine climate movement Meanwhile,. 350 Indonesia works with Climate Rangers for intergenerational climate justice in Indonesia. Contact: Irfan Toni Herlambang, 350 Asia Digital Manager; Email: toni@350.org
Let’s urge the Asia Development Bank to prioritize funding for clean, renewable energy sources, moving away from fossil fuels and accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy landscape in Asia.