HAZE

WHAT IS HAZE? "Haze is traditionally an atmospheric phenomenon where dust, smoke and other dry particles obscure the clarity of the sky ... Sources for haze particles include farming (ploughing in dry weather), traffic, industry, forest fires and peat field fire ... Since 1991 haze has been a particularly acute problem in Southeast Asia. In response the ASEAN countries agreed on a Regional Haze Action Plan (1997) and later signed the Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (2002). Under the agreement the ASEAN secretariat hosts a co-ordination and support unit." [Wiki]

I had posted the above text circa 2006, and since then, the annual Haze problem persists till this day, with the PSI index on Tuesday morning at 9AM Singapore is 115, within 'unhealthy' range. Yahoo!News reports that "On Monday at 10pm, the reading hit 155, the highest Singapore has seen in 16 years".


[Today's readings as of 10:20AM via weather.asiaone.com.sg]
I have constantly resisted posting about "real world" events such as this on this blog, but for a few toy-related imagery for specific worldwide events peppered thru the years on online bloggery, but "HAZEGEAR" has been my only commentary on the Haze-problem, and it continues to be, and I truly wonder what the hell the respective governments of either countries are doing to ensure the health and quality of life to the citizens affected by this problem? What is pathologically annoying and frustrating, is that we KNOW what the problem is, and where it originates from, but WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS?

"Environment and National Resources Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan urged Indonesians "to enforce their own laws" in a Facebook post on Monday night. "We are deeply concerned that the 113 hotspots in Sumatra have caused our 3 hour PSI to rise to 152. NEA has been in touch with the Indonesian authorities to register our concern, and renew our offer of assistance," he wrote."

Does someone need to be sued for billions in the first place, so someone somewhere will stop the end to the madness because it is simply cheaper to do so? Should tourism in either countries grind to a halt before anybody realizes it is not fortuitous to endure the Haze? Does no one care for the health of their countries' citizens?

Least I am accused of attempting to "incite" any undue incidents with regards to this situation, I shall instead post this imagery, to remind you of what YOU are doing to your children, for your considerations:


WHY HAZEGEAR?
HazeGear was/is my personal response to the effects of haze in Singapore - of what the future may hold, as folk and kin walk the streets and live their lives with the need for breathing-aids, in some form or another.

WHAT IS HAZEGEAR?
HAZEGEAR was created out of 1:6th-scaled action figures, and taken by myself between 10th October 2006 and 22nd October 2006.

***#DontHazeMeBro album on Facebook