Forests

Slash and Burn Agriculture

Forests are often deliberately burnt to clear land for farming. This is called "slash and burn agriculture". Because of dry conditions, high winds and unpredictable weather, these fires can easily rage out of control.

The summer of 1997 demonstrated to the world the alarming results of such irresponsible practices. From July to November 1997, most of Southeast Asia was smothered by thick smog created by fires purposely set to make way for new oil plantations. Pollution was at an all-time high, closing schools, airports and businesses. Tens of thousands of people suffered from respiratory illnesses.

The immediate damage from the pollution cost was US$1.3 billion to the developing Southeast Asian nations. The total is expected to rise when long-term health costs are taken into account.

In the first three months of 1998, fires had already destroyed more than 34,600 acres of forest on Borneo Island as vast regions of Brazil were also burning out of control.