Essentially linked to sustainability, to which natural resources conservation efforts commonly refer, office buildings are a potential contributor to global warming. The daily operation of office buildings, for instance, cannot help but consume energy, water and other natural resources. Efforts are now underway to promote the concept of a green office. But is it that easy? The following are comments from several executives: 

Dharmesti Sindhunata 

Associate Director - Marketing & Communications and Workplace Resources, Indonesia Cushman & Wakefield 

I would gladly welcome the move if office buildings in Jakarta started to think about the concept of a green office. Global warming is a serious concern and it calls for mutual commitment to solve the problem. 

I think many owners of office buildings in Jakarta are, as a rule, aware of the green office concept. However, it is difficult to implement it because it requires a big investment to build an office that adopts a green concept. It would be very helpful if efforts were made to promote this idea among building owners and tenants so that practical steps could be directly implemented in our daily work, to encourage existing buildings to be more "green". To make an office building more "green" is not only the responsibility of owners and management of the building. 

We, as tenants of the building, should also have a high awareness of the issue and contribute by developing working habits that support the green office, for instance, by making sure that our computers and printers are turned off when not in use. Use recycled paper when possible. Bring empty food containers from home so that when we buy our lunch so it will not be necessary to have it packaged in Styrofoam and plastic bags. Bring a drink container from home so that it will reduce the number of glasses that need to be washed in our office. Put organic and non-organic trash in separate trash cabin and so forth. 

Not much has been done in the office where I work. Several things that have been conducted in our entire building including a no-smoking rule in the lobby. We also use an automatic sensor for the flush system in our toilet. 

Because it requires big investment, it is difficult for owners of the buildings to implement the green office concept, especially from the aspect of building structure. However, the building management can take the initiative or just a simple activity that supports the green concept along with the tenants. 

Desmond Khoo 

Director of Engineering, Green Team Committee Grand Hyatt Jakarta. 

At Hyatt, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of those we touch every day. We strive to accomplish this with a strong commitment to the preservation of our natural environment, by giving back to local communities around the world and through the volunteer services of our employees. 

To have the most significant impact, our social responsibility initiatives are centered on three core programs: 

A. Hyatt Earth : We believe it is our shared responsibility to combine astute asset management with a passionate commitment to genuine and strategic stewardship of the environment. 

B. Hyatt Community : Our company-wide philanthropic program awards grants to nonprofit groups to improve the environment in the communities where we live and work 

C. Hyatt's Family of Responsible and Caring Employees (FORCE): A volunteer program that allows employees worldwide to participate in local community outreach and volunteer efforts on paid company time. 

Through each of these programs, Hyatt applies a focused and strategic approach to its environmental sustainability, community development efforts and employee volunteerism. 

The driving force behind this initiative is our Green Team, lead by our Director of Engineering, Desmond Khoo. Members of every department meet monthly to plan various short and long term environmental initiatives. 

Some of these initiatives include in reducing energy and water consumption through investments in energy savings products; reducing hotel's waste by implementing a comprehensive recycling program, participating with tree planting campaigns and many more. 

To date these efforts have produced impressive results toward savings for the hotel. Irma Nazar 

Promotion Manager of PT Datascrip 

The green office concept aims to reduce the negative impact on the environment caused by the working activities of an organization/company. Saving energy, reducing the volume of trash, minimizing the use of non-environmentally friendly office equipment and raising awareness of environmental sustainability among the employees are part of concrete actions toward creating a green office. As such it will only be possible if it is incorporated into the vision, mission, commitment and culture of the organization. 

The office where I work has not yet taken any action in a comprehensive and systematic manner. However, several actions have been taken, which are included in our corporate social responsibility (CSR) program in which Datascrip is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. Initial steps have been taken by our company include energy-efficiency actions, especially when the cost of energy (fuel and electricity) increased at the end of 2008. 

To take an initial step toward a Green Office, a common perception and commitment is needed at the level of top management. As a member of the United Nations Global Compact, we are obliged to report these issues every year. Actions that have been taken among other things: 

Reducing the use of paper 

Saving energy by turning off lights during lunch time 

Adopting the latest technology by communicating internally using intra-web 

Sorting different kind of trash 

Promoting environmentally friendly technology products 

The company is committed to the above measures and continues to promote these among members of the organization. 

Other actions include incentives and sanctions.

Do you want to try bebek tutu, baked duck filled with spices? Or seafood barbecue served with fresh vegetables and hot chili sauce? These treats are available at food stalls near the famous Muaya beach in Jimbaran, south of Denpasar.

In addition to its natural beauty and rich arts and traditions, Bali is the perfect place for visitors to embark on culinary adventures. Just visit Kedonganan beach where lines of seafood cafes are always filled with hungry customers, especially at night.

"During this holiday season, we receive at least 2,000 food lovers," explained Wayan Merta, head of Kedonganan Beach Tourist Site agency, which overview around 24 cafes and restaurants in the area.

Each restaurant or food court belongs to local residents at Kedonganan beach. All sea products were procured from local fishermen. Most workers also come from nearby villages. "So, everybody here is almost involved in this small-scale business," Merta said.

Since Bali was opened to international visitors in early l960s and l970s, many hospitality industries including hotels, restaurants and cafes have been operated by large-scale investors coming from outside Bali.

"The majority of restaurant and caf* owners at Kedonganan feel so happy when holiday comes. June through September have always been our busiest months," one caf* owner said.

Most food establishments serve similar dishes like barbecued squid and prawns, lobsters and a large array of seafood. Denna Fahmi, a visitor from Yogyakarta, said she was addicted to the prawns and squid satays (grilled squid). Experiencing great food in Bali is easy. Kuta resort has been a food heaven for both foreign and domestic cuisines.

"You can find any food. Italian food, Japanese sushi, American burgers and local dishes like tahu campur *mixed tofu with vegetables and peanut sauce*," said Diah Listyowati, a Jakarta culinary expert.

Environment activists have released a green map on the Borobudur Temple and surrounding village of Magelang, Central Java, as part of efforts to conserve the site. 

The soft launch of the map, held in Ngaran hamlet, Borobudur village, Magelang, on Monday, was marked with a discussion about the map, which consist of two sections: a green map of Borobudur Temple and a green map of Borobudur village.

The map also details the social condition and potential of the temple and surrounding areas, according to the Green Map organization, which organized the map.

Green Map coordinator Kristanti Wisnu Aji wardani said green mapping of the temple began in 2005, but the activity was temporarily halted, before being resumed in 2008.

Kristanti said the green map provided visitors with a comprehensive explanation of the Borobudur Temple, which is not only a tourism site, but also a social and environment spot.

Environmentalist M. Hatta said the map of Borobudur village shows that the social and environment impact of the Borobudur Temple had reached some 20 hamlets. 

"We hope this map will become a reference for the government," Hatta said.

We believe there is only one way to beautiful, nature’s way. We’ve believed this for years and still do. We constantly seek out wonderful natural ingredients from all four corners of the globe, and we bring you products bursting with effectiveness to enhance your natural beauty and express your unique personality. And whilst we’re doing this, we always strive to protect this beautiful planet and the people who depend on it. We don’t do it this way because it’s fashionable. We do it because, to us, it’s the only way.

“I just want The Body Shop to be the best, most breathlessly exciting company – and one that changes the way business is carried out. That is my vision.”
Dame Anita Roddick.
Human Rights Activist.
Founder of The Body Shop.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presented Friday the annual Adipura and Kalpataru environmental awards to over 100 regions and 12 environmental figures to coincide with World Environment Day, which falls on June 5.

The Adipura awards were given to the country’s greenest and cleanest regions, which were divided into four categories: “metropolitan”, “big”, “medium” and “small” cities.

“Metropolitan cities” receiving the awards are Palembang, Surabaya, Semarang and five Jakarta municipalities: West Jakarta, North Jakarta, Central Jakarta, East Jakarta and South Jakarta.

“Big cities” granted with the awards are Pekanbaru, Malang, Balikpapan, Denpasar, Padang, Batam, Bandar Lampung and Yogyakarta.

Recipients in the third category consisted of 35 medium-sized cities and those in the fourth category consisted of 75 small cities.

The Kalpataru awards were also divided into four categories, comprising awards for “pioneers” in the preservation of environments, “environmental supporters”, “saviors of the environments” and “promoters of the environment”.

Awardees of the first category were Timotius Hindom (West Papua), Viktor Emanuel Raiyon (East Nusa Tenggara), Anyie Apuy (East Kalimantan), Alexander Ketaren (North Sumatra) and Kasmir Gindo Sutan (West Sumatra).

Those in the “environmental supporters” category were Kadis S.P. (West Nusa Tenggara), Djoni (West Sumatra) and Makaampo Ratundulage Madonsa (North Sulawesi).

Dayak Wahea Cultural Institution (East Kalimantan) and Negeri Enam Tanjung ninik mamak (customary leaders) of Riau received the “saviors of the environments” awards.

More than 350 natural disasters took place in Indonesia last year, according to data from the Indonesia Forum for the Environment (Walhi).

This was a significant jump from the 205 which occurred in 2007, Walhi executive director Berry Nahdian Furkon said in Jakarta on Friday.

“This was just the number of disasters registered with Walhi. The figure could actually be much higher than that,” Berri said. The increase in natural disasters, such as landslides, floods, earthquakes and others, was mainly due to environmental neglect by the government, he said. 

Some disasters occurred due to a massive surge in deforestation, with two million hectares of forests converted for various purposes every year, Berri added.

The Sail Indonesia Rally, which departs Darwin in Australia on July 18 and already has 130 registered yachts, will see an amazing maritime spectacle when they arrive in Bunaken, located at the north of the island of Sulawesi.

Some 42 countries have confirmed their participation in Sail Bunaken 2009, which will be organized in Manado and Bitung, August 15-18, 2009.

In Bunaken another 15 yachts are joining the rally boats from Darwin, but Sail Bunaken is not only about yachts, having a much broader naval perspective.

Activities of 'Sail Bunaken' will include 'Indonesian Fleet Review 2009' consisting of a sailing pass parade to be participated in by warships, traditional ships, state ships, tall ships, yachts, and open ships.

'Forty-two countries have confirmed their participation. They will send their naval chiefs of staff and some deputy chiefs of staff,' First Admiral Willem Rampangilei, commander of the Indonesian Navy`s Main Base VIII, said in a meeting on preparations for the Sail Bunaken 2009 here on Tuesday.

Sail Bunaken was aimed at building a sense of seamen`s brotherhood and enhancing international relations, he said.

For full details of the route, the Indonesian expectations and the other tricky aspects of this favourite cruising route, go the the Sail Indonesia web page. For more information about Sail Bunaken, go to their website