Protecting nature<\/p>\n
We have known for weeks that a smoky haze from Indonesian
\nforest fires has enveloped a number of countries in this region
\nin its ghastly, choking nastiness. Now we know the cause of those
\ndevastating fires.<\/p>\n
Satellite pictures have revealed that 90 percent of them were
\nstarted by large logging companies. We also know that big
\ncorporations throughout the world have for years been impairing
\nthe earth's irreplaceable environmental capital through careless,
\nunwise and improvident behavior.<\/p>\n
These companies must learn to conduct their activities in a
\nmanner that is minimally disruptive to life-supporting ecological
\nsystems. Since they are important instruments for development in
\ncountries such as Indonesia, they have a prime role in assuring
\nthat development is not accompanied by dangerously high levels of
\nair pollution.<\/p>\n
With Sarawak in a state of emergency and air pollution indices
\nin other Southeast Asian countries reaching emergency levels, the
\nhaze is clearly an issue of public health as well as an economic
\nliability in much of the region. In Indonesia alone, two people
\nhave died and thousands have been made sick.<\/p>\n
The offending companies must mend their ways by introducing a
\nnew corporate ethic which espouses a sense of environmental
\nresponsibility. And the Indonesian authorities must have the
\npolitical will to take punitive action in order to ensure that
\nthe illegal burning stops forthwith.<\/p>\n
-- The Hong Kong Standard<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/protecting-nature-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }