Local Authorities in Indonesia have come up with an interesting approach to their own environmental problems. Basically mining and deforestation in Indonesia is worsening environmental conditions around the city of Balikpapan. To tackle this local authorities have introduced a ‘Green System’ where by any one applying for a birth certificate or marriage license must plant a tree.

“Everyone who wants to get married or apply for a birth certificate must plant a tree. The city’s condition is already worrying, and we must act to tackle global warming,” explained the head of the Environmental Impact Management Agency, Syahrum Syah Setia.

This direct action may seem a bit harsh but you can’t deny it is an innovative idea to tackle climate change.

Could this type of direct action work a little closer to home? I don’t see why not. If the powers that be could stop thinking about building new power plants, wind farms and geothermal facilities maybe they’d remember that the forests are the real ‘lungs’ of the world and should be looked after accordingly.