Southeast Asia's transboundary haze problem | CNA Explains

Summary

The annual haze season in Southeast Asia is fueled by forest fires in Indonesia, driven by slash-and-burn agriculture for palm oil production. This method is cost-effective but poses severe health risks and economic impacts across the region, particularly affecting Indonesia and its neighbors. Local authorities struggle to enforce regulations against these practices due to limited resources. Climate change and weather phenomena, like El Niño, exacerbate fire risks. While recent regional agreements aim to combat haze pollution, sustainable solutions require education and financial support for farmers to reduce reliance on harmful burning techniques.

Takeaways

• 🌫️ The annual haze season in Southeast Asia, primarily caused by forest fires in Indonesia, leads to severe air quality issues and health risks.
• 🔥 Farmers in Indonesia commonly use slash-and-burn techniques to clear land for palm oil and pulp plantations, significantly contributing to the haze.
• 📜 Indonesian law permits small-scale farmers to burn land up to 2 hectares for agricultural purposes, making it a cost-effective land-clearing method.
• 🏢 Large palm oil corporations are also responsible for starting fires, complicating enforcement efforts against them.
• 👮 Local authorities struggle to enforce regulations due to capacity issues and challenges in proving wrongdoing.
• 🛰️ The Indonesian government is employing satellite imaging and data sensing to monitor and investigate fire sources more effectively.
• 🌦️ Changing weather patterns, including dry conditions from phenomena like El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole, exacerbate the fire situation.
• 😷 The health impacts of haze are significant, with reported increases in respiratory ailments among local populations during haze episodes.
• 💰 Prolonged haze can lead to economic downturns, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia, affecting trade, tourism, and general economic activity.
• 🌍 Regional cooperation, such as the ASEAN agreement, is in place to address haze pollution, but continued efforts and investments in fire prevention and education for farmers are crucial.

Q & A

What causes the annual haze season in Southeast Asia?

The annual haze season is primarily caused by widespread forest fires in Indonesia, where farmers use the slash-and-burn technique to clear land for palm oil and pulp plantations.

How does the slash-and-burn technique impact air quality?

The slash-and-burn technique releases significant amounts of smoke and pollutants into the air, leading to unhealthy air quality that can affect respiratory health.

What legal loopholes exist regarding land clearing in Indonesia?

Small-scale farmers are allowed to burn land up to 2 hectares without a legal title, which encourages rapid land clearing without proper oversight.

Why is it difficult to enforce laws against illegal land burning?

Local authorities face capacity issues in enforcement and rely on satellite imaging for monitoring, making it challenging to prove cases and impose penalties on violators.

What role do large corporations play in the haze crisis?

Many large palm oil corporations are also responsible for igniting forest fires, complicating enforcement efforts against illegal burning practices.

How do environmental factors contribute to the severity of the haze?

Dry weather conditions, particularly due to El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole, exacerbate fire spread, making it easier for small fires to grow uncontrollably.

What health impacts are associated with the haze?

The haze leads to significant long-term health issues, especially respiratory ailments, with reports of increased cases in regions affected by the haze.

What are the economic implications of prolonged haze in Southeast Asia?

Prolonged haze can lead to decreased economic activity, impacting trade, tourism, and overall economic stability, particularly in Indonesia.

What actions have been taken by ASEAN to address the haze issue?

The ASEAN agreement on transboundary haze pollution was established in 2002, and recent meetings have led to the decision to create a permanent center in Indonesia to address the issue.

What solutions are proposed to mitigate the haze crisis?

Solutions include investing in fire prevention, educating smallholders on sustainable practices, and providing financial support for alternative land-clearing methods to reduce reliance on slash-and-burn agriculture.