Indonesia's El Niño–driven peat fires are choking the region—and releasing centuries of stored carbon

Phys.org Earth Science28 October 2026, 13:40 UTCIndonesia

Right now, people in parts of Indonesia are inhaling what may be the most polluted atmosphere on Earth. As the historically large 2026 El Niño intensifies, parts of Southeast Asia have been plunged into an air quality crisis of catastrophic proportions.

Read the full story at Phys.org Earth Science Open in the live monitor

Related discussion groups

No group discusses this yet. Start a discussion group and attach this story.

More news about Indonesia

‘Not to find scapegoats’: Singapore ministers summon bosses of 10 firms over hazeSouth China Morning Post28 October 2026, 14:51 UTCIndonesiaLeader meetingsIn a rare move, Singapore on Wednesday summoned top executives from 10 locally registered companies potentially linked to haze-causing fires in Indonesia to a meeting with three ministers. The exec...
Freeport trims copper sales outlook as Grasberg recovery advancesNorthern Miner28 October 2026, 14:18 UTCIndonesiaFreeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) cut its copper sales forecasts for this year and next while reaffirming the recovery timetable for its Grasberg operation in Indonesia. Consolidated copper sales are pr...
Indonesia weighs tighter ketamine controls amid surge in seizures, abuse casesSouth China Morning Post28 October 2026, 12:26 UTCIndonesiaRising ketamine abuse and a series of major drug seizures in Indonesia have fuelled calls for tighter controls on the substance, but a proposed reclassification has raised concerns that tougher pen...
Indonesia faces 'triple selling' pressure amid MSCI downgrade concernsNikkei Asia28 October 2026, 12:11 UTCIndonesia
PM Wong, Prabowo committed to ‘do what is necessary’ to tackle bilateral issues, including haze: Vivian BalakrishnanCNA28 October 2026, 11:53 UTCIndonesiaGovernment leadersDr Balakrishnan said Indonesia and Singapore have a “common commitment” to the sanctity of contracts as it reflects the credibility and competitiveness of both sides.
Indonesian students protest rising prices, government’s handling of forest firesCNA28 October 2026, 11:48 UTCIndonesiaGovernment leadersProtesters flocked to two of Jakarta’s busiest thoroughfares, carrying banners critical of President Prabowo Subianto’s policies.
Indonesian Students Protest Over Forest Fires, Prabowo SpendingBloomberg Politics28 October 2026, 11:24 UTCIndonesiaGovernment leadersMore than 1,000 students and activists protested against Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in central Jakarta on Wednesday, criticizing his handling of devastating forest fires and government s...
Pangolin scale lawsuit in Indonesia could shake up how wildlife traffickers payMongabay28 October 2026, 07:53 UTCIndonesiaCargo shipsWhen customs officials at Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok Port opened a shipping container flagged for inspection in February 2026, they expected to find sea cucumbers and instant noodles as indicated on t...