August 24, 2026 | 05:55 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Head Arif Satria emphasized the urgency for Indonesian human resources to master environmentally friendly or green skills to meet conservation challenges in the Society 5.0 era.
Speaking at the 2026 Sarwono Award and Sarwono Memorial Lecture ceremony in Jakarta on Monday, August 24, the BRIN chief explained that future civilization emphasizes on two main pillars: humanity and ecosystem sustainability.
"When we talk about Society 5.0, the two keywords are humanity and sustainability. Nowadays, people is starting to rethink the meaning of sustainability as the threat of climate change has become a daily reality," he said.
Society 5.0 is a human-centered "super-smart society" where tech serves human well-being and solves social issues. The term was first proposed by Japan Cabinet Office back in 2016.
Driven by this environmental urgency, Arif stressed that proficiency in green skills has become vital and sought after across both academic research and corporate sectors.
"Green skills are essential both for today and the future, so these green skills are not only needed in academia, but also in the private sector," he noted.
According to Arif, wildlife conservation is a crucial arena for applying these skills. He pointed to the critical situation of the Sumatran rhinoceros, whose wild population has dwindled to roughly 50 individuals.
Protecting this endangered species, he argued, can no longer depend on traditional approaches alone, but demands collaborative intervention and advanced technology. "That is why technologies such as Assisted Reproductive Technology, or ART, have been developed and successfully deployed in Kenya," Arif said.
The BRIN chief encouraged researchers to study and draw direct inspiration from nature's mechanics, a practice known as biomimicry. He noted that natural principles, defined by diversity, interdependence, and interconnectedness, are valuable lessons for human social interactions.
"Nature has already taught us how to coexist, and its philosophy and characteristics can inspire how we structure our social life," he said.
In addition to guiding social cohesion, nature's design holds technological insights that outpace artificial intelligence. He highlighted the innate navigation of migratory birds and whales as natural phenomena that can lay the groundwork for scientific breakthroughs across disciplines.
Referring to the blue economy framework, where human systems learn from nature, he urged the creation of research that adapts to natural ecosystems. "So, the way nature works should be a source of innovation. For researchers at BRIN and across Indonesia, it is essential to draw inspiration from how nature works," said Arif Satria.
Read: Indonesia: Over 3 Million Suffer from Haze, Gov't Urges Masks
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
BRIN Advances N219 Development for Prabowo's Flying Ambulance Plan
8 hari lalu
BRIN is advancing N219 aircraft development for Prabowo's flying ambulance plan while working on MALE drones for future emergency logistics.
How 2006 Pangandaran Tsunami Reached Height of Coconut Tree
13 hari lalu
The true magnitude of the 2006 Pangandaran earthquake reached an equivalent of 8.7, which was stronger than originally recorded.
BRIN Chief Showcases Nuclear Reactor Development to Prabowo
17 hari lalu
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing nuclear and space technology.
The Domino Effect of Forest and Land Fires
18 hari lalu
Forest and land fires are expanding and showing no signs of subsiding. The risk of economic, social, and political turmoil is increasing.
BRIN Presents ANG Technology to Prabowo as LPG Alternative
18 hari lalu
BRIN will present adsorbed natural gas (ANG) technology to President Prabowo as a potential LPG alternative. What is ANG technology?
What BRIN Experts Say About Mass Fish Deaths in Bali Lake
19 hari lalu
BRIN has revealed the suspected cause of the mass death of tens of tons of fish in Lake Batur, Bangli Regency, Bali in late July.
Indonesia Develops Virus-Free Garlic Seed Technology to Cut Imports
20 hari lalu
Indonesia's National Research & Innovation Agency (BRIN) & Gadjah Mada University (UGM) are developing tech to make high-quality garlic seeds.
New Species of Begonia Discovered in West Sumatra
27 hari lalu
A team of researchers has successfully described a new species of Begonia from West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Indonesia Discovers 18 Rare Coelacanths in Major Conservation Breakthrough
28 hari lalu
The study indicates the ecological importance of Talise Island in Indonesia for the survival of the coelacanth species.
Indonesia's BRIN Develops Contactless Radar to Monitor Heartbeat, Breathing
28 hari lalu
Using radar can be done without direct contact and can also be used to monitor more than one person at a time. What are the results of the research conducted by the BRIN team?
