The deep ecology approach offers the view that flood mitigation cannot rely solely on technical solutions—it must also involve rebuilding harmony between humans and the ecosystems they inhabit. Without policies grounded in ecocentrism, flood mitigation will remain a temporary, reactionary measure that fails to address the root causes of environmental degradation. A holistic approach is therefore essential to restore ecological balance and reduce future disaster risks.
Understanding Deep Ecology
Philosopher Arne Naess once stated that all forms of life on Earth are interconnected. For him, every living being possesses intrinsic value, and achieving harmony among them is a moral necessity. This idea became known as deep ecology—a philosophy rooted in Eastern spiritual traditions that perceive all existence as interconnected and equal, bound within a web of ecological relationships.
Deep ecology, therefore, provides a holistic and spiritual worldview of nature. It critiques modern secular and anthropocentric paradigms, which position humans as the center of existence and legitimizes exploitation of nature for human gain.
Yet, deep ecology is not merely a philosophical stance—it is also a call to action. Its moral foundation, ecocentrism, stands as the antithesis of anthropocentrism. Deep ecology argues that today’s environmental crises—including the climate emergency—stem from human arrogance: the belief that humanity is the ruler of the Earth, free to exploit it without limits.
The Fruits of Disharmony
The philosophy of deep ecology becomes particularly relevant when confronting real ecological disasters such as floods and other hydrometeorological hazards. These are not simply natural phenomena—they mirror how humanity treats its environment.
The loss of forests and mangrove ecosystems, and the conversion of land for shrimp ponds, settlements, and infrastructure, exemplify humanity’s dominance over nature while ignoring ecological balance. This anthropocentric worldview, which treats nature merely as an object of human consumption, has driven environmental degradation to increasingly irreversible levels.
At the beginning of 2025, West Kalimantan faced severe flooding across seven regencies—Mempawah, Sambas, Bengkayang, Landak, Singkawang, Sanggau, and Kubu Raya—affecting tens of thousands of residents.
According to the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of West Kalimantan, as of January 30, 2025, around 83,603 people were impacted, with hundreds displaced to safer areas. Some regions also suffered landslides and tornadoes.
These disasters were exacerbated by poor disaster-response infrastructure and the loss of forest, peatland, and mangrove ecosystems, which should have functioned as natural flood buffers.
Pontianak: A City on the Brink
Beyond rural flooding, the provincial capital Pontianak faces a growing threat of inundation.
The city’s low-lying geography, with an elevation nearly equal to sea level and bisected by the Kapuas and Landak Rivers, makes it extremely vulnerable to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, tidal surges, and inadequate urban drainage.
Between 2018 and 2024, the extent of inundated areas in Pontianak rose sharply.
According to the Gemawan Spatial Center, the Northern Pontianak District saw the most drastic increase—from 980.10 hectares in 2018 to 1,115.40 hectares in 2024, a 13.81% rise in six years, with a 20.01% surge between 2021–2024 alone.
As the city’s largest and most populous district (149,714 residents), North Pontianak faces growing strain from land conversion, urbanization pressure, and inadequate drainage capacity.
In Central Pontianak, the inundated area increased from 558.94 hectares (2018) to 606.71 hectares (2024), up 8.55% over six years, while East Pontianak rose by 10.63%, from 363.86 hectares to 402.55 hectares. These trends reveal a consistent pattern: urban expansion and reduced infiltration areas are intensifying environmental stress.
Adding to the problem, Pontianak’s 885.19 hectares of peatland—distributed across Central (52.21 ha), North (271.29 ha), and Southeast (561.69 ha) districts—are rapidly degrading. Peat, a natural water reservoir, is being lost to urban sprawl. Combined with sedimentation, waste accumulation, and uncontrolled development, the city’s drainage system is increasingly overwhelmed. The result: longer-lasting floods and greater disruption to residents’ lives.
Pontianak now stands at a critical crossroads requiring long-term ecological restoration and sustainable spatial planning.
Restoring coastal and peatland ecosystems, expanding green open spaces, and improving urban water absorption zones are vital.
Yet, as deep ecology reminds us, technical measures alone are not enough—true change demands a shift in perspective, recognizing that humans are not masters of nature but participants in a shared ecosystem.
Deep Ecology and Flood Solutions for Pontianak
The deep ecology perspective insists that flood mitigation must go beyond infrastructure. It requires rebuilding the moral and ecological relationship between humans and the natural world.
Without ecocentric policies, mitigation efforts remain reactive—addressing symptoms while neglecting causes.
Key actions include:
1. Restoring Coastal and Peatland Ecosystems
Mangrove forests and peatlands are natural water regulators and flood protectors.
Rehabilitating these ecosystems is a strategic step toward improving Pontianak’s resilience.
This also requires halting destructive land conversion and prioritizing ecological restoration in spatial planning.
2. Implementing Sustainable Urban Planning
Urban development must align with environmental carrying capacity.
Expanding green spaces and infiltration areas will help reduce rainwater runoff and improve soil absorption.
Infrastructure projects should be guided by ecological impact assessments, ensuring that urban growth does not worsen hydrological imbalances.
3. Promoting Eco-Drainage and Green Infrastructure
Ecological drainage systems—such as constructed wetlands, retention ponds, and infiltration wells—offer more sustainable alternatives to conventional drainage models.
Regular canal maintenance and adaptation of water networks to climate variability are equally critical.
4. Strengthening Community Participation
No flood prevention strategy will succeed without public involvement.
Waste-clogged drainage and river pollution remain major contributors to flooding.
Therefore, community-based education and local initiatives are essential to foster environmental responsibility and long-term behavioral change.
Rebuilding Harmony Between Humans and Nature
Saving Pontianak from recurring floods is not only about engineering infrastructure but also about redefining humanity’s relationship with nature.
Adopting the principles of deep ecology is no longer an abstract ideal—it is an urgent necessity for a safer, more sustainable future.
Only through restoring harmony, reviving ecological ethics, and embracing community-centered solutions can Pontianak withstand the growing challenges of the climate era.
Authors: Mohammad R. & Roni Antoni, pegiat Gemawan.