Solving Air Pollution with Sustainable Solutions
Don’t just “Wait for Songkran”. Instead of brushing it off as mere “seasonal air pollution” that rain will naturally clear, viewing the smog problem as an enduring threat to health and the environment is the initial move.
Is there a true culprit?
- Smog is not exclusively generated by burning biomass. Satellites only detect burning in agricultural and forest regions, overlooking emissions from vehicles and factories.
- Farmers turn to growing corn due to financial constraints, as banks readily approve loans for such projects. They are accused of burning corn stalks, while industrial animal feed companies that encourage corn production avoid accountability.
- Villagers settle in areas that are later declared protected forests or agricultural zones, thereby blocking access to state budgets. Forests provide essentials and income.
- Chiang Mai’s deciduous forests shed 14 million tons of leaf litter annually. Managed burns can reduce fuel, control fire spread, and encourage the healthy growth of vegetation.
It’s important to enhance public awareness and comprehension of the air pollution crisis and its connection to both urban and rural development. Recognize that we are all contributors to this issue.
The Government’s top-down approach proven ineffective.
A comprehensive approach involving stakeholders is vital for effective solutions. Transparency in fire management is key. Prioritize identifying ideal burning days using meteorological data to control fire, curb spread, and limit smoke and dust. Targeted burning in specific zones also helps prevent excessive pollutants.
Shifting towards collaborative strategies involving communities and local bodies is more effective.
Community engagement led to success.
Considering the diverse contexts of various regions and the challenges faced by government officials in overseeing vast and rugged territories with limited resources and personnel, community engagement becomes essential. Communities take center stage, with local authorities acting as coordinators, facilitating effective analysis, planning, prevention, and mitigation efforts tailored to the unique characteristics of each area. Successful strategies have emerged from community-driven initiatives that empower local forest management.
A successful case study of Mae Ho Phra
Mae Ho Phra sub-district in Mae Taeng district is an example of successful fire management. It encompasses committee meetings, fire prevention in 7 neighboring villages, and a coordinated plan between the sub-district municipality and village committee. This plan designates burn zones based on forest features, overseen by villagers to prevent unauthorized fires. Both municipal and community patrols monitor fires. Since November 2015, it has integrated fire management with local wild mushroom harvesting, a vital income source. The strategy combines controlled “necessary fires” for economic benefits, emphasizing village-level fire management in an unpredictable climate.
Knowledge
The missing data undermines accurate problem-solving and can lead to environmentally unfair solutions. It’s vital to provide accurate and comprehensive academic information and knowledge to the public.
Local Strength
For substantial transformation, it’s crucial to involve all sectors inclusively. Assigning roles according to each sector’s strengths encourages inventive thinking and fresh problem-solving methods that result in enduring sustainable results.
Policy
Immediate legislation is required for air quality management. A petition carrying 24,000 signatures supporting the proposed Clean Air Bill was presented to Parliament on January 21. The bill asserts citizens’ rights to access air-quality metrics and demands transparency regarding pollution sources.
“ASEAN has no certain legal structures of cooperation among the countries. Most ASEAN agreements are not binding. Unlike Geneva Convention–right to claim damages from transboundary air pollution” Dr Kanongnij Sribuaiam, associate professor, law faculty, Chulalongkorn University; legislative lead, Thailand CAN (Clean Air Network).