The region, which forms the nucleus of Indonesia’s enormous palm oil industry, has sought help from the central government, saying they lack the resources to deal with the haze, which is affecting at least seven of the 12 districts in the region.
Apart from the air pollution that these fires cause, they also damage the climate by destroying large areas of diverse forest, releasing the carbon stored inside into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Deforestation accounts for at least 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and fewer trees mean less effective soakage or ‘sinks’ of CO2.
- See more at: http://www.rtcc.org/2014/03/06/palm-oil-producers-blamed-as-smog-chokes-indonesia/#sthash.KyHtN1ON.dpuf