Climate change is now a critical global issue. Climate change impacts have pushed various organisations to take adaptation and mitigation measures. On this issue, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and United Nations University (UNU) Japan established cooperation to organize International Conference entitled "On the Role of Higher Education in Adapting to the Eco-systems and Climate Change" to formulate concepts and implementation strategies in facing climate change. The Seminar was held on Monday (8/3) at the Graduate School of UGM.
On the occasion, Director General of Higher Education, Prof. dr. Fasli Jalal, Ph.D., said that education is one of the strategic doors in adapting to climate change. "Education is the main pillar in adapting to climate change among young generation," said Fasli.
Fasli Jalal added that his office provides funds for climate change researches to encourage researchers from different disciplines to participate in reducing global warming.
Meanwhile, Dr. Emil Salim, an environmental expert, said that to deal with climate change problems should involve various stakeholders from different disciplines. "To overcome the impact, scientists should open the walls between scientific disciplines, build synergy to overcome various problems that arise," he said.
Similar opinion is also delivered by Prof. Taekuchi, Rector of UNU, that sectoral cooperation is needed to tackle climate change. In addition, it is also important to educate the young generation to preserve the environment.
The seminar held by Faculty of Engineering, UGM, was also trying to formulate the climate change adaptation curriculum and developing implementation strategies.