Obsessed with the unbridled exploitation of natural resources, Indonesia is sinking into an ecological disaster that could be irreversible.
On islands that were once sanctuaries of biodiversity, mines and factories have replaced the forest. Local fishermen now catch almost nothing in their nets and the sea is black with pollution. By destroying the jungle with no regard for the environment, industrialists are also threatening the survival of tribes that previously had no contact with civilization.
Yet Indonesia is one of the first to be affected by global warming. The capital, Jakarta, is threatened by rising sea levels. The city is slowly sinking and residents live with constant flooding. The government has decided to move the capital and build one from scratch, on the island of Borneo. Titanic construction work has begun, gutting forests and displacing entire villages.
We met Daru, an activist respected by the population and feared by the authorities. For the past 15 years, she has been fighting against plastic pollution, used as fuel by many factories spitting out black fumes. Microplastic particles contaminate not only the air, but also food productions. Despite a ban on plastic waste imports in 2019, thousands of tons still arrive illegally from Europe, South Korea and Canada.