Southeast Asian Cities: Grappling with Air Pollution
We explore how industrial and agricultural growth in the SEA region has led to worsened air pollution and its long-term significant health consequences.
Major cities in Southeast Asia (SEA) are notorious for their extreme levels of air pollution, causing significant environmental and health damage for its people. Last year, several major SEA cities, such as Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, were among the world’s most polluted cities, according to IQAir’s ranking. Two of the most populated major cities, Manila and Jakarta, frequently record hazardous air quality levels, posing serious health risks to millions. The SEA region has seen a drastic growth in industrialization and urbanization and has established itself as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. However, despite its economic resurgency, the region lags behind in environmental policies and agendas to address the concern of pollution.
However, we have to be wary when looking at air quality and pollution data from recent years due to the impact of COVID-19. A 2023 report showed improvements in air quality in most SEA countries compared to previous years, with a sharp decline in PM 2.5 concentrations in seven out of nine ASEAN countries. The pandemic and its associated lockdown protocols has led to these temporary reductions in pollution levels due to reduced transportation activity. Fast forward to now, the pollution levels in the region have generally rebounded as the lockdown protocols have been lifted.
Industrial Growth and Burning are the Lead Culprits
Coal remains a dominant energy source in SEA, particularly in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The region’s growing energy demand has led to an increase in coal-fired power plants, which release significant amounts of PM2.5 and greenhouse gases. While some countries are shifting towards renewable energy, coal still accounts for a large share of electricity production.
Moreover, the rapid urban expansion in SEA has led to large-scale construction projects that contribute to air pollution through dust and emissions from heavy machinery. We could suspect that the lack of regulations on construction dust suppression further exacerbates air quality problems, particularly in megacities like Jakarta and Manila. In short, industrial expansion has fueled economic development in SEA, but it has also caused environmental degradation.
Slash-and-burn agriculture remains a major issue in Indonesia and other SEA countries, where vast areas of forest and peatlands are set on fire to clear land for palm oil plantations. The resulting transboundary haze spreads across Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, leading to severe air quality deterioration. In addition to large-scale agricultural burning, many rural communities in SEA, including those in Myanmar, practice open burning without awareness of its environmental and health consequences.
Farmers and local residents often burn all types of waste, including plastic, toxic materials, and household garbage, alongside agricultural residues. This uncontrolled burning releases hazardous pollutants such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals, significantly contributing to air pollution. The lack of public awareness and proper waste management systems exacerbates the issue, leading to long-term environmental degradation and health risks, such as respiratory diseases and cancer. Educational campaigns and stricter enforcement of waste disposal regulations are crucial to addressing this ongoing problem.
The consequences of rapid urbanization and economic growth have also led to a surge in vehicle usage in Southeast Asian cities. Vehicle emissions, particularly from motorcycles and older vehicles, have become a major source of air pollution, contributing significantly to PM2.5, PM10, and black carbon emissions. A unique aspect of the region’s transportation mode is its diversity. Vehicles in SEA are culturally ingrained into their national identity; we see this in tuk-tuks (motorized three-wheeled rickshaws) in Thailand and jeepneys (repurposed U.S. military jeeps) in the Philippines. These informal modes of transportation, while culturally significant, can contribute to traffic congestion and emissions.
Major Consequences and Major Health Risks
We know that exposure to high levels of air pollution increases the risk of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions that can lead to premature death. But now we observe the long-term consequences of chronic exposure to air pollution in the SEA region. A study has indicated that long-term exposure to PM2.5 in the region is linked to higher rates of lung cancer, asthma, and stroke. In Indonesia alone, air pollution causes an estimated 120,000 premature deaths annually. The issue has also stricken citizens financially due to the need for health cases due to air pollution. It is estimated that it costs the Thai economy approximately $6.6 billion annually in terms of health expenditures and lost labor output due to air pollution.
Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach involving a combination of strategies. Cleaner energy transitions, sustainable transportation options, stricter emission controls, regional cooperation, and public awareness campaigns are all crucial components of a comprehensive solution. Individuals, alongside governments and industries, play a crucial role in reducing air pollution. Each individual’s decision adds up to a collective movement. While some Southeast Asian countries have made progress in improving air quality, sustained efforts and increased investment are needed to ensure cleaner and healthier cities for the region's growing population. What we need now is to find long-term sustainable solutions for SEA.
Do you have any ideas or initiatives for air pollution control in the context of SEA? Comment below, and let’s get a discussion going!
