Indonesia – VCA

Illustrations by Melan, Mount Lewotobi, and Climate Change

Meilany Wungubelen's days in November and December 2024 were notably busy. She moved from one post to another, volunteering and assisting survivors of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. Along with her friends from the Coalition of Young People's Groups for Climate Change (KOPI), she became a storyteller for children and the elderly.

Aryani Newa’s Climate Action in Villages, Beaches, and Social Media

Aryani Newa Humba, a young leader from Mondu Village, East Sumba, is making a significant impact through environmental conservation and sustainable farming. As a Sunday School teacher, she educates children about climate change while leading regular beach clean-ups. She also chairs the Luri Panamu Farmers Group, encouraging alternative crops and traditional farming methods to adapt to changing weather conditions. Supported by Koppesda and the Adaptation Coalition, Aryani continues to inspire her community, proving that small, consistent actions can drive meaningful change.

Voices of the Asmat

These are the voices of the Pomar Sirau Indigenous community, Asmat Regency, about the struggle to protect and recognise their customary territory rights and management space as an effort for a local nature-based solution through participatory mapping.

Karli and the Forest: If a Tree Dies, Replant It

Karlikada, who is 34 years old, has no permanent job. Sometimes, he works as a casual labourer at a company. At other times, he goes to sea to catch fish. If the catch is small, he keeps it for personal use. If he catches more, he sells the surplus. However, despite the seemingly unusual nature of his work, his contribution to nature conservation is evident.

The ‘Climate Witness’ Film: The Voices of the Climate Crisis Solutions

At midnight on April 4, 2021, Cyclone Seroja hit East Nusa Tenggara Province, leaving behind sorrow and trauma. The cyclone left 181 people dead, 184 injured, 26 missing, 50,000 people without homes, and 466,000 people directly affected. The climate crisis is not a tale but a reality, having a bad impact on the earth and humans.

The power of South-South collaboration and peer learning: SSN’s Knowledge Partner Gathering

From 26 February to 2 March, the District 6 Homecoming Center in Cape Town was abuzz with excitement, collaboration and ideation as, for the first time, SSN, through the Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA) programme, hosted an in-person Knowledge Partners Gathering workshop with our in-country partners from Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Indonesia, Tunisia, Zambia and Kenya.

Lunggi Randa, “Ratu” (Queen) of the Wundut Indigenous Forest Defender

Lunggi Randa (63 years old), is a Marapu traditional leader. Besides being a Marapu traditional leader, Lunggi Randa is also a farmer in Kambata Wundut Village, Lewa District, East Sumba District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.

Local heroes through the captivating lens of ‘Climate Witness’

Step into the world of East Nusa Tenggara's local heroes through the captivating lens of 'Climate Witness', a thought-provoking documentary series by the Civil Coalition in the VCA programme

Restoring mangroves to protect homes and livelihoods

Joni J. Messakh lives in Tanah Merah Village in Indonesia, a community that is mostly dependent on fishing activities. His family has become well known for their work to save the mangrove trees that are key to preserving the community’s safety and livelihood.

Yuliana campaigns for the climate with saplings

Yuliana travels through Indonesia with the innovative action group Geng Motor Imut to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability. The effects of climate change are noticeable wherever she looks. “The weather is getting warmer, water reserves are drying up, the rainfall is erratic, and droughts last longer. This year in Kefa City it’s been intensely hot. Just five years ago, it tended to be cool from the afternoon until morning. But now, it’s hot all day,” she says.