Sitting by my window, I expect to see a sunny blue sky, some trees sporadically placed on the road below and the peeling orange paint from the building opposite but all I see is a dark, dusty, smoke obscuring my vision ahead. And I think to myself, The Dark Haze Returns (apologizes for the faltering reference of Batman). The current PSI reading (Pollutant Standards Index) as I write this blog from the NEA monitoring system is 133, according to the descriptor – “Unhealthy”. But why does the same issue persist year after year after year?
The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (ATHP) was signed over 13 years ago on 10th June 2002 by ten ASEAN Member Countries, it is a binding agreement that encourages states to tackle the transboundary haze pollution together (ASEAN, 2010). Despite stalling for the last 12 years, Indonesia finally ratified the agreement and agreed to address the persevering issue under its framework, being the last ASEAN member to ratify it. Furthermore, ATHP is a legally binding agreement, which is regarded as the most effective agreement in compelling nations to change their behavior (Varkeey, 2013). Yet I continue to sit here sniffing my nose, and reaching for a tissue paper every 10 minutes. Doesn’t an international multilateral agreement have any point?
Well, it is not as simple as 1,2,3 poof: bye haze. One of the biggest barriers to an effective transboundary agreement at the ASEAN level is the dominant role of patronage politics in the palm oil plantation in Indonesia. Patronage politics refers to the biased support given by governments. This brings me back to my most hated and loved word – “Sovereignty”. States, even in a connected association such as ASEAN, will act in their own national interest, undermining the regional interests. The economic importance of Palm Oil to the nation additionally, coupled with the importance of elite clients to the state basically means that these clients can continue to clear land with fire under the protection of the government without any implications. Such elites are shaping ASEAN’s role and its initiatives thus decaying such agreements, while the public at large continues to suffer annually (Varkeey, 2013).
Thus the ASEAN Way completely represents this quote my parents often use, “my way or the high way”. The regional engagement amongst the governments is controlled by their national interests, where members are allowed to control the scope, depth and speed of any co-operation. Instead of a doctrine, it can be seen as a political umbrella, which states can selectively use (Koh, 2008). This ASEAN Way enables members to ensure that despite the legally binding agreement, their national interests and sovereignty is observed. The lack of enforcements and dispute resolutions causes a legally binding treaty to be “vague and lacking” (Varkeey, 2013). These hazy agreements continue to kindle the fiery fury haze further (Punny).
When will national sovereignty stop having an upper hand over our environment, over our health? Till then, which I hope to foresee in the future, I will put on my N95 mask and be ready to face the desolation of the smog (get it? Hobbit?)
References:
ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. (2013, May 30). Retrieved September 12, 2015.
Koh, K. L., & Robinson, N. A. (2002). Regional Environmental Governance: Examining the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Model. In D. C. Esty, & M. H. Ivanova (Eds.),
Global Environmental Governance: Options & Opportunities Yale: Yale Center for Environmental Law &Policy.
Varkkey, H. (2014). Regional cooperation, patronage and the ASEAN Agreement on transboundary haze pollution. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 14(1), 65-81.
Chicago
Thus the ASEAN Way completely represents this quote my parents often use, “my way or the high way”. The regional engagement amongst the governments is controlled by their national interests, where members are allowed to control the scope, depth and speed of any co-operation. Instead of a doctrine, it can be seen as a political umbrella, which states can selectively use (Koh, 2008). This ASEAN Way enables members to ensure that despite the legally binding agreement, their national interests and sovereignty is observed. The lack of enforcements and dispute resolutions causes a legally binding treaty to be “vague and lacking” (Varkeey, 2013). These hazy agreements continue to kindle the fiery fury haze further (Punny).
When will national sovereignty stop having an upper hand over our environment, over our health? Till then, which I hope to foresee in the future, I will put on my N95 mask and be ready to face the desolation of the smog (get it? Hobbit?)
References:
ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. (2013, May 30). Retrieved September 12, 2015.
Koh, K. L., & Robinson, N. A. (2002). Regional Environmental Governance: Examining the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Model. In D. C. Esty, & M. H. Ivanova (Eds.),
Global Environmental Governance: Options & Opportunities Yale: Yale Center for Environmental Law &Policy.
Varkkey, H. (2014). Regional cooperation, patronage and the ASEAN Agreement on transboundary haze pollution. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 14(1), 65-81.
Chicago
Still on the issue of haze, I volunteer as a Road Show Lead with a non-profit organization - People's Movement to Stop Haze in liaison with WWF, where we are building a platform for a bottom approach to address the the role of consumer and unsustainable palm oil to the general public. We have had an exhibition at the science centre, "Air Your View" event and a press release. Please feel free to check out our campaign - http://webreathewhatwebuy.com/ and join our pledge.