Articles Climate Change

When The Sky Cant Breathe

Fazrul Mustaqim

Teacher

Posted 08/09/2026

When the Sky Can’t Breathe highlighting the serious impact of haze in Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. During a severe haze episode, the Air Pollutant Index in Sarawak reached 518, a level classified as hazardous. The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre has also documented transboundary smoke from fire hotspots in West Kalimantan drifting into Sarawak. Haze is more than an environmental problem. It affects our health, schools, transport, agriculture, businesses, and livelihoods. Indonesia’s 2015 fire crisis caused an estimated US$16.1 billion in economic losses, while also disrupting transport, tourism, education and public health. The issue is also global. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes approximately 6.6 million deaths worldwide every year. Environmental problems do not respect national borders. Preventing haze requires cooperation between governments, industries and communities. We must prevent open burning and illegal forest and peatland fires, report fires early, protect and restore forests, and strengthen regional cooperation. Clean air is a shared responsibility. Protect Borneo. Protect our planet. Protect our future. No more haze. Act now. #WhenTheSkyCantBreathe #NoMoreHaze #ProtectBorneo #AirPollution #Haze #CleanAir #ActNow #Environment #nyre2026 References ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre. (2026). Review of regional haze situation for July 2026. Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (2002). ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. Malay Mail. (2026, September 4). Serian API hits hazardous 518, emergency declaration possible. World Bank. (2016). The cost of fire: An economic analysis of Indonesia’s 2015 fire crisis. World Health Organization. (2026). Health effects of air pollution: Evidence and implications: Technical brief.