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Toxic haze spreads across South East Asia amid 'super' El Niño
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Toxic haze from weeks-long wildfires in Indonesia is spreading to Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, exposing millions to pollution levels over 15 times the WHO's recommended limit.
- The fires, primarily in Sumatra and Indonesian Borneo, are exacerbated by a Super El Niño causing severe drought, with children under five among the most affected by respiratory illnesses.
- The crisis is linked to decades of land-use changes, including logging and industrial plantations, with some companies allegedly using fire to clear land cheaply, worsening the environmental and health impact.
- Indonesian Borneo's peatlands, normally vital carbon sinks, are burning and releasing large amounts of carbon, raising concerns about significant contributions to climate change.
- Experts warn that as the Super El Niño intensifies, the wildfires and resulting haze could become even more severe in the coming months.
