SLC-S29/W1-“Thinking and Ideas!| If You Were in Charge!”
I am glad to be part of SLC-S29/W1—“Thinking and Ideas! If You Were in Charge!” by @ninapenda and would like to hear how @josepha, @mahadisalim, and @radjasalman If you were in charge and given leadership with decision-making, how would you react and handle the problems?
If you were given full authority for one year in your community or country, what is the first issue you would address?
As far as I am concerned, I would rather think about my area and would prefer to act as a community leader because my country is already in good hands. However, my area in particular faces a severe waste management issue, with the city generating almost 1000 metric tons of waste daily and over 4 million tons of untreated legacy waste accumulating for more than 13 years. So this is more related to overpopulation.
We have a body called "The National Green Tribunal." I recently read they criticized our local government and municipal authority for delays in building a treatment facility, creating public health risks and environmental hazards from garbage mounds, which they have been promising for years.
If I am given the charge, I would immediately improve sanitation, reduce disease spread, and enhance livability in your community.
Why did you choose this issue over others?
As a recent resident and content creator focused on local culture and outdoor activities, tackling waste directly supports my interests in clean parks for people and safe markets for exploration. In fact, poor waste handling exacerbates urban challenges like waterlogged areas and unplanned growth, hindering community events you enjoy.
I believe such things as enforcing segregation and bioremediation could build public trust and momentum for broader reforms like youth employment or inflation control.
What is that one difficult decision you would have to make?
The most difficult decision in tackling the area's waste crisis would be mandating the immediate demolition and relocation of over 2000 illegal settlements encroaching on the waste treatment plant site and nearby landfills. And although authorities are working on this problem but is getting worse in different states even after demolition en masse. I will have to expedite the action.
In fact, these areas house thousands of low-income families, many working as informal waste pickers, who have lived there for decades collecting and living amid garbage dumps.
I will have to take this choice for urgent public health against human compassion. Delaying clearance perpetuates the environmental catastrophe. Just look at 1000 metric tons of daily waste untreated, breeding diseases like dengue and cholera, polluting groundwater, and choking drains during monsoons.
But when I see the eviction risks displacing poor residents into worse poverty, sparking protests, and straining social services already overwhelmed in this area, I wonder why this area, but it's a widespread problem in different states.
I guess I'd have to arrange and allocate emergency funds for alternative housing in surrounding townships with job training in formal recycling plants, partnering with NGOs for a smooth transition.
As a community leader, I will have to consult via various authorities, also leveraging platforms like the local citizens forum. I am sure politicians feel it is risky, so they do not enforce this rule, but I am not a politician, so for the greater good, I will make strict rules for future encroachments through strict zoning.
Success here would help keep cleaner streets and healthier kids playing outdoors, as my love for child activities is well known to you all. I have more plans to involve youth to provide employment through this project, and ultimately, prioritizing 4 plus million tons of waste demands tough love for sustainable progress.
How would you explain this decision to people who disagree with you?
Yeah, I understand their frustration; losing their home feels devastating, especially after years of hardship. But I will have to show them a clear picture of 1000 tonnes of waste piling up daily.
I will have to make them understand breeding diseases that hit our kids hardest, polluting water we all drink, and flooding streets in monsoons. That plant site must be cleared for a treatment facility to end this cycle for good, protecting everyone, including them living amid mounds of garbage.
I am not abandoning those guys but securing funds for new township housing nearby, with recycling jobs and NGO support for families. I will offer them to join membership for town halls to shape the transition. I am sure my step might feel tough but this tough step today will build a cleaner, healthier city tomorrow, for me and for them. Their children will play safely outdoors, just like we all want. Together, we rise. A win Win situation in the end, isn't it?
Waste disposal is very important in every country. I would love to see such initiatives in my country too. Your interesting thoughts will play a big role in cleaning up a country. I have a lot of respect for your thoughts. Good luck to you in the competition.
Thanks, yes, this need to be taken care immediately that's the reason I opted for this job. I have done enough big jobs so now it's time to give community what we can!
Yes, waste has serious impacts on health and the environment, and it can also cause flooding in certain areas. Being a leader means being in a complex situation, even in a small community, because every action or policy will be influenced by and affect other factors.
Proper waste management is your primary mission if you have authority. This is interesting because the waste issue is a concern for all countries around the world, including our country, Indonesia. The most difficult thing to address is the lack of public awareness and the government's lack of attention to a good and effective waste management system.
Good luck with your contest, sir @dove11
Thanks, I know it's a global problem but when I see a few countries in the world have zero waste with efficient management and we are not doing enough to solve this burning problem, I feel like revolting.
Yes sir, I understand that.. I hope we have our own space and opportunity to do this good deed.
Thank you @ruthjoe 🙏
Considering your area is a good thing to do, and I most say that in my area a lot of things are lacking. Thanks for the invite and good luck to you.
Thanks, That's what I feel too!
Very good point! Especially since rubbish could actually be avoided... I believe that the fundamental thing is to educate people: what happens to rubbish, what are the consequences, what damage does incineration or landfill cause, how long does it take for everything to rot, what toxins are released... When I know these things, I am much more careful about what I leave behind.
Actually it comes from the mindset and we know nothing about waste management neither at personal level nor at administrative level. We are so much engaged in political issues and unproductive activities that we miss these burning issues which will swallow the the whole country. We are too careless when it comes to cleanliness which should be our priority at every level.
Thanks @ruthjoe
Hi @dove11, welcome to thinking and ideas week 1
Handling waste is a good one. I feel the government have neglected this part so much that it no longer speak ill of their office. As someone who minds his environment and also has the interest of the people at heart, I guess, this would help save lives first because health is priority. You are obviously not handling one issue, but double issues at a go.
It is of good cheer that I see all these difficult plans come to pass. Although the people would feel bad about loosing their place of resident but with all your strategis and plans, I am sure it will work effectively. Your government is sure to extend to the next tenure.
Thanks, yes I see waste management as a great problem which is increasing as much as the world population is increasing so if we don't take it on our priority list, we are in for trouble.
Hola, amigo. El problema sobre el manejo de la basura en las grandes ciudades siempre ha sido complicado. Ojalá que tus ideas fueran escuchadas por alguien. Saludos.
Thank you much for your wise words!
https://x.com/simaodev11/status/2010574084430815262?s=20