Singaporean Government Policy Brief:
Restoring Peat Lands with Community Development Approach to Minimize Transboundary Haze Pollution (THP)
Introduction
After sixteen years from 1997 followed by 2005 crises, now Transboundary Haze Pollution (THP) crisis turns to annual. The latest haze in June 2013 named as the most terrible trans-boundary haze pollution blanked Singapore air in history (Onn 2013). Haze turns into hazardous status as Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached 400 (BBC 2013). PSI is an index to show day-to-day levels of air quality monitored by National Environment Agency (NEA) (NEA 2013). PSI considered dangerous condition if reach over 300 (NEA 2013). 2013 haze crises also increase public concern on the effect of haze in health, …show more content…
According to Wetland organization, peat land has hydrology regulation functions (mitigation of flood and droughts, salt water intrusion prevention and water supply), climate stabilisation (carbon storage, carbon sequestration and climate regulation) and biodiversity (gene pool, plant habitat, wildlife habitat and landscape), wilderness and source of natural products (Wetland, 2008).
Cause of peat land fires mainly because of human negligence. Palm oil companies, local and immigrant farmers uses slash and burning practices and also producing ash as fertilizer part. When those activities happen in dry season, even small fire can uncontrollable and make rapid flame (Usup et.al 2004). The haze is not only produced by the flame of trees, but also smouldering peat releasing huge carbon and persistent smoke (Gaveau 2014). Consequently, Indonesia’s carbon stock degradation reaches 217,000 tonnes per year (FAO 2011)
Some parties get benefits from Indonesia deforestation like big palm-oil company and small scale farmers because of the lower cost they get in freeing the land than by sustainable method (Howes and Wyrwoll 2012). However, costs of deforestation of course highly affected on local and community level especially in health, natural resources, and cost of managing the fire. Thus, the costs exceed it …show more content…
It is fire prone, releasing huge amount of carbon and difficult to handle when burned. A recommendation would be co-management in peat land restoration between Singapore and Indonesia with community development approach. This proposal targets middle into longer term outcome. Therefore, other policies in short term basis complement this program and existing programs are consolidated.
Diplomatic aspect is one important part of this proposal. Our government need to make haze problem as one concern from the new administration. Joko Widodo or called Jokowi who is a new president. He has a long list of programs he has to meet on his campaign (General Election Commission 2014). He also targets 7 per cent of Indonesian economic growth (Tempo, 2014). When growth and environment dilemma exists, it is potential problem when newly inaugurated president put environmental issues second place, when boosting an economy is a top
Restoring Peat Lands with Community Development Approach to Minimize Transboundary Haze Pollution (THP)
Introduction
After sixteen years from 1997 followed by 2005 crises, now Transboundary Haze Pollution (THP) crisis turns to annual. The latest haze in June 2013 named as the most terrible trans-boundary haze pollution blanked Singapore air in history (Onn 2013). Haze turns into hazardous status as Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached 400 (BBC 2013). PSI is an index to show day-to-day levels of air quality monitored by National Environment Agency (NEA) (NEA 2013). PSI considered dangerous condition if reach over 300 (NEA 2013). 2013 haze crises also increase public concern on the effect of haze in health, …show more content…
According to Wetland organization, peat land has hydrology regulation functions (mitigation of flood and droughts, salt water intrusion prevention and water supply), climate stabilisation (carbon storage, carbon sequestration and climate regulation) and biodiversity (gene pool, plant habitat, wildlife habitat and landscape), wilderness and source of natural products (Wetland, 2008).
Cause of peat land fires mainly because of human negligence. Palm oil companies, local and immigrant farmers uses slash and burning practices and also producing ash as fertilizer part. When those activities happen in dry season, even small fire can uncontrollable and make rapid flame (Usup et.al 2004). The haze is not only produced by the flame of trees, but also smouldering peat releasing huge carbon and persistent smoke (Gaveau 2014). Consequently, Indonesia’s carbon stock degradation reaches 217,000 tonnes per year (FAO 2011)
Some parties get benefits from Indonesia deforestation like big palm-oil company and small scale farmers because of the lower cost they get in freeing the land than by sustainable method (Howes and Wyrwoll 2012). However, costs of deforestation of course highly affected on local and community level especially in health, natural resources, and cost of managing the fire. Thus, the costs exceed it …show more content…
It is fire prone, releasing huge amount of carbon and difficult to handle when burned. A recommendation would be co-management in peat land restoration between Singapore and Indonesia with community development approach. This proposal targets middle into longer term outcome. Therefore, other policies in short term basis complement this program and existing programs are consolidated.
Diplomatic aspect is one important part of this proposal. Our government need to make haze problem as one concern from the new administration. Joko Widodo or called Jokowi who is a new president. He has a long list of programs he has to meet on his campaign (General Election Commission 2014). He also targets 7 per cent of Indonesian economic growth (Tempo, 2014). When growth and environment dilemma exists, it is potential problem when newly inaugurated president put environmental issues second place, when boosting an economy is a top