Banda Aceh – As a follow-up to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding or MoU between Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), and Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) regarding the tridarma program of higher education. Vice Rector III for Student Affairs and USK Cooperation Prof. Dr. Mustanir, M,Sc signed a cooperation agreement between the Disaster Mitigation Center / TDMRC USK-Aceh Climatology Station related to joint studies and publications in the field of Hydrometeorological Disaster Mitigation. Then continued with a Public Lecture by the Head of the BMKG Applied Climate Center Dr. Ardasena Sopaheluwakan. The two agendas took place in the VIP room of the AAC Dayan Dawood building, Monday afternoon (31/10/2022). The signing of this agreement is to synergize the potential and resources owned by both, in an effort to mitigate hydrometeorological disasters in Indonesia and Aceh Province in particular.
In this activity were the Deans within USK, the Head of the Department / Study Program, as well as all leaders of the BMKG in Aceh Province. The period of this cooperation agreement is three years starting from October 31, 2022. In his remarks, the Vice Rector III of USK said that TDMRC as the center of excellence of Indonesian science and technology and a world reference in the field of disaster, will continue to strive to develop its potential through cooperation with various parties.
Prof. Mustanir also advised, “so that both parties can take full advantage of this cooperation with full commitment”, so that joint studies and publications in the field of hydrometeorological disaster mitigation, can be implemented as well as possible, and bring benefits to the community. Public lectures on climate adaptation After the signing process of the cooperation, it was continued with a Public Lecture by the Head of the Center for Applied Climate Dr. Ardasena Sopaheluwakan. This public lecture was guided by the Head of the Hydrometeorological Disaster Cluster, Dr. Saumi Syahreza with the theme “the impact of climate change and the need for adaptation action through research skills”. In his presentation, the Head of the Center for Applied Climate said that climate change globally is no longer a mere thumbs up, “the heat waves that have occurred in a number of countries have caused thousands of people to die”. The results of the monitoring of the conditions of the atmosphere, land and waters of Indonesia, show that natural CO2 increases by 2 ppm each year, sea surface temperatures rise by 1-1.2 oC, in general rainfall also shows an upward trend, as well as sea levels increasing by 6-9 mm / year. The doctoral graduate from ITC Netherlands also added that there has been snow shrinkage in the central hills of Papua due to global warming. Although the chances of a heat wave in Indonesia are small, the maximum temperature pattern that continues to rise gradually in the Indonesian territory every year should be watched out for, said Dr. Ardasena. Adaptation action Looking at various climate change phenomena, Dr. Ardasena emphasized the need for adaptation actions and the government’s commitment to reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, by implementing economic development through renewable energy, “building reservoirs or reservoirs to store rainwater when the dry season hits”, he said. After delivering the Public Lecture material, the activity ended with a question and answer session. A number of USK and outside students were very enthusiastic about asking questions and then straightforwardly answered by Dr. Ardasena Sopaheluwakan. (SJA)
