InfoSAWIT, MEDAN – Global climate change is intensifying hydrometeorological disasters across Sumatra, prompting calls for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to strengthen regional resilience.

Vice Rector III of the University of North Sumatra (USU), Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, stressed the importance of synergy among academia, government, industry, and communities.

“We must formulate collaborative approaches based on evidence-based policy, grounded in strong research and empirical data,” she said during a scientific discussion at USU on Feb 10.

The forum, titled The Dialectics of Indonesian Palm Oil: Global Climate Change as a Disaster Trigger in Sumatra, featured climate and agriculture experts, as well as representatives from the palm oil sector.

Prof. Poppy emphasised that the dialogue aims to seek constructive solutions rather than assign blame regarding palm oil’s environmental impact. (T2)