MSIG Indonesia’s Contribution to the Future of the Earth

Suara.com – According to the United Nations (UN), one million species are threatened with extinction due to human activities, such as habitat destruction, overexploitation, and climate change. Loss of biodiversity can have severe consequences such as reduced ecosystem productivity, reduced resistance to environmental pressures, and reduced ability to provide various ecosystem needs such as clean air and water.

For this reason, PT Asuransi MSIG Indonesia (MSIG Indonesia) together with its employees held a Biodiversity Fun Class (BDFC) and Mangrove Planting activity which was carried out from February to March.

Shikato Takeuchi, President Director of MSIG Indonesia, said, “As a global company, we really care about sustainability. As an insurance company, we contribute to the future of the earth by doing small things that have an impact on society, one of which is through this Biodiversity Fun Class. “

In this BDFC initiative, MSIG Indonesia is supported by the Foster Parents National Movement (GNOTA), a non-profit, independent, and transparent social organization that protects children throughout Indonesia to get a proper education, which acts as an advisor for us to determine schools which one is suitable for this campaign and the best way to communicate with students from different backgrounds so that the message can be conveyed properly.

Through interactive activities such as story-telling about biodiversity and conducting simple science experiments entitled “The Impact of the Greenhouse Gas Effect” and “The Impact of Melting Glaciers”, the children learned about the impact of climate change on the environment and the importance of protecting biodiversity for future generations.

MSIG Indonesia realized from the early stages of this effort that many schools in rural areas may not have access to the same resources and opportunities as schools in urban areas. By holding these classes in schools in rural areas, children who previously did not have the opportunity to learn about biodiversity conservation will be reached, regardless of their location or economic status. They have the right to get access to quality education about environmental preservation.

It didn’t stop there, MSIG Indonesia also participated in efforts to plant mangrove forests in Muara Gembong, Bekasi. Quoting information from the Central Foundation for Mangrove Rehabilitation (SRM), the existence of mangrove forests on the coast in the area continues to experience shrinkage and damage due to frequent abrasion.

Deputy President Director of MSIG Indonesia, Bernardus P Wanandi, said that mangrove forests store blue carbon which can absorb greenhouse gas emissions, thereby reducing the impact of climate change.

In addition, mangrove forests are not only good for the environment, but also for the people, especially those living around the mangrove forest ecosystem. By planting and conserving mangrove forests, it is expected to be able to anticipate and reduce the impact of climate change which is the main concern of the company.

Climate change is compounding the loss of biodiversity by changing the physical and chemical conditions of ecosystems, such as temperature, rainfall, and sea level rise.

The supervisor of the SRM Foundation, Imanuel Iman, said, “There has been massive damage in Muara Gembong. More than 940 hectares of land have been eroded by the sea. The land that was once land has now become a sea. That is the background why we chose to carry out rehabilitation efforts at this location. Apart from that, the planting we have done also has another function, not only to rehabilitate mangroves but also to help local communities who have lost their livelihoods. First. The seeds planted come from the community. Second, from the mangrove maintenance that we provide every month. Then the surrounding community also gets income from planting activities with outside parties, such as boat facilities, as well as food for visitors who do the planting.”

Iman also added that the SRM Foundation has the same vision as MSIG Indonesia regarding the issue of climate change. “Mangroves can help reduce global warming because they have the ability to absorb four times more carbon than tropical forests. In tropical forests, when leaves and branches fall, carbon is released. While in the mangrove forest, when the branches and leaves fall, it will remain suspended in the water. That’s why mangrove forests have the ability to absorb carbon four times higher than tropical forests.”