Air Pollution
We have a severe problem that is choking our people – one that has serious impacts on our health and our economy. In most countries, polluted air comes from the burning of fossil fuels, such as petrol and diesel by vehicles on the road, and in coal in power plants.
However in Southeast Asia, a major culprit is the seasonal haze, both local and transboundary.
The problem
Air pollution is a man-made issue, that is transboundary in nature. Regardless of cross country borders, it blankets the region with toxic fumes, through wind patterns.
The root causes are found not only in the burning of fossil fuels for transportation and energy, but also in irresponsible forestry practices. These activities accelerate climate change while polluting our airways with tiny, but deadly pollutant particles like PM2.5. These particles, also found in haze, can work their way deep into our lungs and cause various long-term health problems.
What we do
Our mission is clear. We are working to get our basic human right to breathe clean, haze-free air recognised by the Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) and nationwide. But we will need everyone to fight with us.
We need greater, lasting change – and for that to happen, the laws in our country must make sense by holding polluters responsible for practices that threaten our health and livelihood. So we continue the fight for either a Transboundary Haze Pollution or Clean Air Act that makes a difference.
Holding polluters accountable is not exclusive to Malaysia as we work on developing solutions to cut emissions down and create sustainable urban spaces globally.
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