Nala Aprilia Climate Action

With a bicycle sticked to a cardboard box, Nala Aprilia started her action. A girl who was born in Bogor, April 27 2004, decided to take her action. She wanted people realize how important earth condition and the surrounding environment.

The Student of UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta majoring in Islamic Psychology Study was awakened after seeing a video clip on Instagram showing young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg giving a speech in front of United States officials. In the video, Greta reveals that the condition of the earth is no longer suitable for habitation according to scientific opinion.

Nala felt that Greta's words were correct. She was starting to worry that her future would be disrupted by the condition of the earth which has already faced a climate crisis. Based on her experience, Nala finally decided to take an action that could make people aware of how important to pay attention in this issue.

Nala started the action by using a bicycle. She carried a cardboard contain messages which saying to deny the climate crisis. One of them was written, "Climate Crisis Beat Down". According to Nala, bicycles are more practical because she doesn't have to stand for a long time in public places to attract other people's attention.

Through her modest actions, Nala feels she can give a big impact and benefit on other people. Nala then started a climate strike in October 2021. "If I stand quietly on the side of the road, people will look at me with various looks," said Nala when talking  by telephone on Wednesday (20/3).

On the other hand, Nala took part in Climate Reality Global Training to learn about the process of climate change in detail. At this event, Nala learned how to create posts about advocacy in social media such as  Instagram, podcasts, etc.

After attending the training, Nala's mind began to open. She was aware of the various things that are happening in Indonesia. Nala, who is currently studying in the fourth semester, has started following various social media accounts and organizations working in the environmental sector. Nala began to open her eyes that the events that frequently occurred in her neighborhood were caused by the climate crisis.

“I want to give a voice to people affected by the climate crisis because it is difficult for them to get attention from other people,” he said.

Nala said that after understanding the climate crisis, she had a high sense of empathy when she saw various information about the earth destruction. She shed tears seeing the condition of the earth which was becoming more and more destroyed day by day. "If we have to move to Mars, it will be a hassle because on Mars every second, humans have to wear safe clothing, therefore they have to be able to protect the earth from being destroyed," she said.

On the other hand, Nala's journey in voicing the climate crisis to the public has not always gone smoothly. She admitted that she had received a greeting from one of the men who said his bicycle was good. In fact, Nala also felt that the statement was a form of ridicule because in reality the bicycle that Nala was using was an old bicycle that was not suitable for use.

When she first carried out a climate strike, she also felt embarrassed because the bicycle she used was an old bicycle that she had bought a long time ago. This condition did not become an obstacle for Nala to continue fighting.

"Even though every time I do a climate strike I feel afraid, nervous because I see how the looks of other people who have different responses after seeing the cardboard attached to the bicycle, but I still carry out my mission," he said.

Nala also often receives oblique comments from her friends and social media who talked about on her actions. One of them commented that the cardboard used by Nala would become trash. However, Nala revealed that the cardboard which has been used was used cardboard. She will not throw it carelessly until it becomes trash.

"However, this comment actually made me feel proud when I went down every street with a bicycle loaded with cardboard that said it rejected the climate crisis," he continued.

Nala did not expect that many people would see her movement to deny the climate crisis. Not a few of her friends expressed appreciation and support for him to continue to grow and develop better in voicing the climate crisis. "That's what makes me more enthusiastic about carrying out climate strikes," she stressed.

She was also happy when she saw that her friends had changed their habits by bringing their own cutlery instead of using single-use plastic. "I feel happy when I see friends bringing their own cutlery when having snacks," she said.