Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
OXFORD, England – Amidst growing global concerns about climate change and environmental issues, Indonesian musician and activist Rara Sekar captivated audiences at the Skoll World Forum with a poignant performance. Her song, imbued with themes of resilience and hope, served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for environmental action in Indonesia and beyond. Sekar’s artistry and advocacy highlight the intersection of culture and sustainability, inspiring individuals to address the climate crisis through creativity and community engagement.
Singer Rara Sekar Uses Music to Champion Environmental Awareness
Rara Sekar, an artist deeply committed to environmental causes, recently performed at the Skoll World Forum in Oxford, England, sharing a song that speaks to hope and resilience during times of political oppression. The melody, “Kabut Putih” (White Fog), originally composed during a period of Indonesian political strife, has evolved into a personal anthem for Sekar. It embodies her dedication to fostering creative solutions to the escalating climate crisis in Indonesia, her native country.
“Kabut Putih”: A Song of Resilience and Hope
Following her Thursday performance at the Skoll World Forum, an annual assembly concentrating on transformative ideas for global challenges including climate change, health, and human rights, Sekar spoke about the deeplyMoving nature of “Kabut Putih.” “The prisoner’s song is profoundly restorative,” Sekar shared with The Associated Press. “When I grapple with feelings of hopelessness in climate activism, or any form of activism, I find solace in singing it.”
Advocating for Sustainable Living and Environmental Stewardship in Indonesia
Sekar’s environmental advocacy in Indonesia centers on promoting a “low-waste lifestyle.” This philosophy encompasses practices such as foraging for wild edibles and organizing communal gatherings centered around shared meals. Between 2022 and 2023, she spearheaded bicycle expeditions across Java, an island grappling with the impacts of erosion and flooding that have devastated communities. These initiatives, she explained, were designed to illustrate to local populations the intrinsic value and joy of connecting with the natural world.
“I endeavor to reciprocate nature’s gifts in every facet of my life,” she stated. “This commitment extends beyond my songwriting to encompass my daily existence.”
Indonesia’s Environmental Challenges: Deforestation and Climate Vulnerability
Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago straddling the equator, hosts the world’s third-largest rainforest, a biodiversity hotspot teeming with diverse flora and fauna, including iconic species like orangutans and elephants. However, environmental degradation is a pervasive issue, and the nation has become increasingly susceptible to extreme weather phenomena, ranging from severe floods to destructive landslides.
Reports consistently rank Indonesia among the top global emitters of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. These emissions largely originate from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, coupled with widespread deforestation and the burning of peatlands, vital wetland ecosystems.
The Scale of Rainforest Loss and Environmental Impact
Since 1950, estimates from Global Forest Watch indicate that over 74 million hectares (285,715 square miles) of Indonesian rainforest – an area twice the size of Germany – have been cleared, burned, or degraded. This extensive destruction is primarily driven by the expansion of palm oil, paper, and rubber plantations, as well as mining operations and other commodity-based industries.
“Kabut Putih” Performed at Skoll World Forum
At the Skoll forum in Oxford, Sekar’s performance of “Kabut Putih” was part of the Found Sound Nation initiative, a New York-based collective dedicated to fostering community engagement through musical expression.
The Song’s History and Contemporary Resonance
“Kabut Putih”— or “White Fog”— was composed in 1971 by Zubaidah Nuntjik, an Indonesian woman believed to have perished following her release from a prison camp where she and numerous others were unjustly detained. In 2024, Sekar released a recording of this powerful song, collaborating with groups representing families of victims and survivors of the 1965 mass atrocities targeting individuals suspected of Communist Party affiliations in Indonesia.
Finding Strength and Hope in Music for Climate Action
Sekar, also known by her artistic moniker hara, conveyed that the spirit of “Kabut Putih” “empowered me with hope” in her role as a climate campaigner.
“Nature serves as the wellspring of inspiration for the majority of my songs,” she explained. “I believe in integrating methods of educating individuals about the climate crisis into my tours.”