Southeast Asia’s air pollution crisis continues to endanger lives – Report
Southeast Asia’s persistent air pollution crisis silently threatens the lives of its residents. The sub-region, home to a staggering 673.7 million people, is facing a grave air pollution crisis. Shockingly, nearly every resident in the region is breathing unsafe levels of fine particulate pollution, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). This perilous pollution is silently robbing them of an average of 1.6 years of life expectancy, with some of the most affected areas witnessing a staggering loss of up to 3.5 years. The recently published Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2023 report paints a grim picture, revealing that pollution levels in Southeast Asia worsened in 2021, with countries like Cambodia and Thailand experiencing alarming increases.
Pollution and its profound impact
Despite minor fluctuations over the past two decades, air pollution levels in the region have stubbornly remained high, averaging between 18 and 22 µg/m3. During dry seasons, Indonesia’s wildfires exacerbate the problem, not only affecting the country but also its neighboring nations like Malaysia. However, there is a glimmer of hope, as the reduction in fires in 2021 compared to 2019 yielded positive results. Indonesia saw a 16.3% decrease, and Malaysia experienced an even more significant drop of 31.4% in pollution levels. Notably, Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling megacity, witnessed an 18.7% decrease in annual PM2.5 concentration in 2021, offering a glimpse of the improved life expectancy that could result if WHO guidelines were met.
Divergent trends and health implications
While some regions made progress, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar saw a surge in particulate pollution from 2019 to 2021. Myanmar, in particular, remained the most polluted country in Southeast Asia in 2021, with pollution levels seven times higher than WHO guidelines. This dire situation resulted in residents losing a staggering 2.9 years of life expectancy, significantly surpassing other health threats like malnutrition and diabetes. Thailand displayed varying pollution levels across regions, with some areas experiencing up to 2.5 years of reduced life expectancy compared to WHO guidelines. Vietnam exhibited a similar disparity, with Hanoi potentially gaining three additional years of life expectancy if air quality met WHO standards.
Addressing the Crisis
Effectively tackling Southeast Asia’s air pollution crisis demands unified efforts. One crucial approach involves curbing biomass, forest, and peatland fires, often set illegally for land clearance. Additionally, implementing stricter fuel emissions standards, akin to those in Europe, can significantly reduce emissions from vehicles. Unfortunately, Indonesia and Thailand lag in this regard. Furthermore, addressing industrial emissions, particularly from coal-fired power plants, must be prioritized, given their substantial contribution to pollution. The region is witnessing a growing awareness and activism wave, with citizens and grassroots organizations advocating for clean air. Legal victories and citizen-driven initiatives in countries like Indonesia and Thailand underscore the urgency of addressing this life-threatening issue.
In brief, the report suggests that urgent measures, including stricter emissions standards and efforts to reduce wildfires, are essential to mitigate this pressing public health challenge and secure a healthier future for the people of the region.
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