sustainability Article Trans-Boundary Haze Pollution in Southeast Asia: Sustainability through Plural Environmental Governance Md Saidul Islam 1,*, Yap Hui Pei 2 and Shrutika Mangharam 1 1 Division of Sociology, Nanyang Technological University, 14 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637332;
[email protected] 2 Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University, 14 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637332;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +65-6592-1519 Academic Editor: Marc A. Rosen Received: 29 February 2016; Accepted: 13 May 2016; Published: 21 May 2016 Abstract: Recurrent haze in Southeast Asian countries including Singapore is largely attributable to rampant forest fires in Indonesia due to, for example, extensive slash-and-burn (S & B) culture. Drawing on the “treadmill of production” and environmental governance approach, we examine causes and consequences of this culture. We found that, despite some perceived benefits, its environmental consequences include deforestation, soil erosion and degradation, global warming, threats to biodiversity, and trans-boundary haze pollution, while the societal consequences comprise regional tension, health risks, economic and productivity losses, as well as food insecurity. We propose sustainability through a plural coexistence framework of governance for targeting S & B that incorporates strategies of incentives, education and community resource management. Keywords: slash-and-burn; environmental governance; haze; Indonesia; plural coexistence; global warming; Singapore 1. Introduction The world’s rapidly growing population has been a long-standing cause of concern amongst both economists and environmentalists alike. There is an increasing demand for agricultural and urban spaces to sustain the ever-multiplying demographics. However, due to limited availability of space, the trend of clearing forests to make way for cultivable land has been gaining popularity [1].