Liquid Trees : Indonesia’s Trump Card to a Greener Future

As time passes, Indonesia is gradually losing its reputation as the “lungs of the Earth” due to escalating pollution levels. Jakarta, in particular, has repeatedly been ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world, and the effects are surely felt by the locals. Many have observed that the weather has deteriorated significantly, and this concern is backed by data showing that Indonesia’s particulate matter (PM) concentration—comprising a mixture of solid and liquid particles in the air—is 7.5 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s PM guideline.

However, the situation might have been far worse were it not for the breakthrough invention of the "Algaerium" and "Algaetree" by microalgae experts from Gadjah Mada University: Professor Arief Budiman, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, and Dr. Nugroho Dewayanto. Towards the end of 2023, they have managed to integrate algae biotechnology with modern engineering to create “liquid trees” in their attempt to purify urban air.

Designed to function both indoors and outdoors, these liquid trees offer a practical solution to Indonesia’s pollution crisis, particularly in densely populated areas like Jakarta where green spaces are limited. They operate by using microalgae to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, effectively mimicking the ecological role of real trees.

In short, it’s safe to say that these liquid trees represent a promising step toward a greener and more sustainable future for both Indonesia and the planet.

Bibliography:

Universitas Gadjah Mada. 2023. "UGM Experts Create Liquid Tree with Microalgae to Improve Air Quality." Universitas Gadjah Mada.November 23, 2023. https://ugm.ac.id/en/news/ugm-experts-create-liquid-tree-with-microalgae-to-improve-air-quality/.

QAir. 2024. "Air Quality in Indonesia" IQAir. Accessed April 15, 2025. https://www.iqair.com/indonesia#:~:text=How%20polluted%20is%20Indonesia%3F&text=37.13%20%C2%B5g%2Fm%C2%B3-,PM2.,5%20guideline%20value.