The Bali Collaboration on  Climate Change (BCCC) facilitated the celebration of Global Day of Action  for Climate Change on 20 December 2008 by involving young people to study their environment. The younger generation is  part of the society that will experience the serious impacts of global warming and climate change. The Global Day of Action is a worldwide movement in conjunction with UNFCCC conference, where civil society groups and the public raise important issues to the delegates.

In cooperation with the Environment Agency (BLH) of Bali Province, BCCC encouraged  the young people to observe their  environment by cycling around the city of Denpasar. They would then document what they see and present the results to the local government.

The event was opened  by Ketut Sunyana, a representative of BLH. In his address, Sunyana thanked the youth for their participation and that the local government of Denpasar will look forward to their input after the event.

The participants were quite enthusiastic about the event. Dewa, a participant said he was even willing to take out time to repair his bicycle late in the night in order to participate in the Global Day of Action.  Nina from SMA (High School) 2, after cycling in the city, said she began to understand how our behaviour can have a big impact on the environment.

There were 36 participants from general high school (SMA 2 dan 7), from the vocational schools SMK TI Bali Global and  SMK Rekayasa, the Low Rider Bicycle Community, university students from the IHDN and UNHI, and members of Friends of WALHI. They cycled in four groups, along two routes, distributing 250 brochures on World Silent Day, while recording their observation. Route  1 started from the office of BLH towards the main business area of Jalan Sudirman, Diponegoro, Hasanudin, Badung Market and Puputan Park, back to BLH. Route 2 cycled  to Jalan Hayam Wuruk, through to the South up to Jalan Hang Tuah at the border of Sanur, and back to BLH.

Participants observed some interesting facts. For instance, they found across the Ramayana Mall trash scattered around a big  trash bin. A big trash can in front of the Wisata cinema was empty as its bottom had a big hole, thus trash thrown into it end up scattered around it.

They also observed some improvements over the years. The Badung river, which in previous years were filled with plastic and trash, were then relatively clean. Big pots with plants were placed on the banks.  Interviews with the traders in the Badung market revealed that the government had tried to keep the river and the market clean. However, participants saw that many traders just dumped the waste into the river despite a big sign saying “Do not Throw Waste”.

In route 2, participants observed land conversion from fertile wet rice fields to constructions in jalan Sedap Malam.  The space around the wet market at Jalan Katrangan, to be used for vehicles, has become a parking area, which caused traffic jam in the surroundings.

The observations, with recommendations will be compiled into a document to be titled The Dream of Denpasar Youth and presented to the local government in February 2009.

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