Unraveling the Climate Crisis: How Changing Weather Patterns Are Fueling Disasters in Sulawesi

On Friday, October 3, 2025, Hasanuddin University hosted a guest lecture titled "Perubahan Iklim dan Dampaknya terhadap Bencana Hidrometeorologi di Wilayah Sulawesi" (Climate Change and Its Impact on Hydrometeorological Disasters in Sulawesi). The event took place at the Science Building Ballroom and ran from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM WITA, with around 50 attendees including students, faculty, and professionals. This enlightening session was organized by the Department of Geophysics in collaboration with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

The lecture featured Muflihah, S.Pd., M.Si., Head of the Climatology Work Team at BMKG Regional IV Makassar, as the main speaker. During her presentation, Muflihah addressed the escalating effects of climate change, particularly in Sulawesi, where extreme weather events such as intense rainfall and temperature anomalies have become more frequent. She highlighted that in 2024, global average temperatures surged by 1.55°C, the highest recorded since the pre-industrial period, signaling a critical shift in global climate patterns.

Muflihah emphasized the growing frequency of extreme weather events in Sulawesi, with rising temperatures and increased rainfall contributing to severe flooding incidents. For example, in 2022, rainfall in several areas exceeded 150mm per day, a factor directly linked to the increasing occurrence of major floods in places like Bali and Maros.

The lecture also focused on solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change. Muflihah urged all participants to actively engage in initiatives aimed at reducing the impacts of global warming. One such program is the BMKG's School of Climate, an outreach initiative to help communities understand and adapt to climate change.

The session included a lively Q&A segment, where participants sought clarification on strategies to cope with hydrometeorological disasters and the role of accurate climate data in disaster preparedness.

To conclude, Muflihah stressed the importance of collective action, reminding everyone that combating climate change is not just the responsibility of governments but of individuals, communities, and institutions alike. She encouraged the use of BMKG’s online platforms, such as cuaca.bmkg.go.id and iklim.bmkg.go.id, to stay informed and prepared.

The event ended with the distribution of e-certificates to participants, recognizing their commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges of climate change. Through such events, Hasanuddin University continues to play a crucial role in raising awareness and encouraging proactive steps toward a sustainable future.