Administrator’s Note: I subscribe to a number of Indonesian news sources and blogs in an attempt to stay informed.  One of the most useful is Starling Resources’s “Sustainable Development News Digest“.  They cover, and provide a brief synopsis, on numerous topics in Indonesia as well as global issues as they relate to Indonesia.

Topics include:

A. Marine and Fisheries
B. Forest and Land Use
C. Biodiversity, Conservation and Protected Areas
D. Climate Change
E. Carbon, Energy and Mining
F. Pollution, Wasted and Disaster
G. Technology, Investment and Finance
H. Human Rights, Indigenous People and Gender Equality
I. Government Priority Programs
J. Indonesia in Politics and Geopolitics.

If you are interested; Starling’s News Digest is in English and it’s free!  You can subscribe below.

The Indonesia Sustainable Development News Digest is a biweekly collection of summaries of articles related to conservation, the environment, and sustainability in Indonesia that have appeared in print or online in local, regional, and global media. We welcome comments, suggestions, and corrections. To learn more about us and to access previous editions of the News Digest, please visit our website at www.starlingresources.com. If you would like to add colleagues or friends to our distribution list or unsubscribe, please contact us at newsdigest@starlingresources.com.

A “not so” pristine Raja Ampat beach

 

The article below, which originally appeared in the Indonesian blog Kompas, is an example of Starling’s coverage.

The Ocean is Increasingly Reaching Critical Status, Threatening Human Life by Ahmad Arif, Kompas, 9 June 2026

The world’s oceans are under severe and increasing pressure from climate change, pollution, and human activity, threatening biodiversity, food security, livelihoods, and human health, according to the United Nations’ Third World Ocean Assessment. Prepared by nearly 600 scientists from 86 countries, the report found that sea-level rise has accelerated from 2 millimeters per year before 2015 to 4.3 millimeters per year in 2023, while 16 percent of global ocean warming since 1955 occurred after 2018. The assessment warns that cumulative pressures are degrading marine ecosystems that support fisheries, coastal protection, and climate regulation. Rafael González-Quirós, co-coordinator of the report’s expert group, said the urgency of maintaining a healthy and resilient ocean has never been greater. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for stronger global cooperation and science-based ocean governance. The report estimates that 52.1 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, creating 24.4 trillion microplastic particles that affect more than 4,000 marine species. Renato Andres Quiñones Bergeret, coordinator of the joint expert group, highlighted the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge and inclusivity into ocean management. Although international agreements have strengthened marine protection, the report says fragmented governance continues to limit effective action.

Scenes like this are becoming more frequent in Raja Ampat and throughout the archipelago!

As many of you know Raja Ampat is struggling from growing pains, i.e. lack of waste water infrastructure and refuse management, mining, and the lack of proper mooring/anchorage for the expanding liveaboard fleet, are to name but a few.  The government states they will address the issues!