Yogya (KU) – Educational level of a community is not only able to improve knowledge and rationale, but also eco-friendly awareness. That was proven by Tasdiyanto in his research on four social communities in Yogyakarta. The research regions included the community of Yogyakarta Palace, educated community in Bulaksumur, business community in Malioboro and village community in Gondolayu Lor.
According to Tasdiyanto, the educated community in UGM residential area of Bulaksumur proved to increase environment awareness. In this community, most of the residents are educated people who have knowledge about environment. “The innovation they made is well-maintained gardens. They establish environmental organizations, encouraging other communities,” said Head of Center for Environmental Management and Capacity Improvement, Center for Environmental Management for Java in doctoral examination at UGM Graduate School, Wednesday (2/6).
Different from the community in Gondolayu Lor, environment awareness is a social need because the space to throw garbage is getting narrower. No wonder that in Gondolayu there are many trash processing places to change trash into more useful things, such as bags and others. “Previously, this community throwed garbage to the river. After having been given counseling and program by external groups, the village community can finally pay more attention to the environment,” said the father of two children. Besides the need, the eco- friendly awareness in the community there has been supported by people solidarity. This eases the efforts made by the government and NGOs in conducting eco-friendly programs.
Meanwhile, in the business community in Malioboro Street, most people do not care about environment because of their limited time. Several people, however, managed to make roof gardens. “In that business community, they do not have particular time to think about the environment. There are only a few of them who have the awareness,” said Tasdiyanto who passed cum laude in the exam.
In the communioty of Yogyakarta Palace, the eco-friendly characteristic is more based on their dedication to the Palace. “They routinely clean the Palace. They do not think much about the environment, because cleaning is their obligation and duty,” said the man born in Banyumas on 20 July 1972.