中文导读

继前文关注印尼火灾中的红毛猩猩救助后，跨境烟霾如今进入新的区域议程。本文解释为什么烟雾会把环境问题变成公共健康与合作难题。

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Smoke does not stop at a national border. In recent weeks, haze from forest and land fires has covered parts of Southeast Asia. On Tuesday, the Philippines, which chairs ASEAN this year, said the issue will be on the agenda when the group’s foreign ministers meet in November before a regional summit.

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烟雾不会在国境线前停下。近几周，森林和土地火灾产生的烟霾覆盖了东南亚部分地区。周二，今年担任东盟轮值主席国的菲律宾表示，东盟各国外长在11月区域峰会前举行会议时，将把这一问题列入议程。

The problem is already changing daily life. Singapore’s 24-hour air pollution index has reached the level defined as haze pollution at least six times since September 4, according to Lianhe Zaobao. The country’s environment agency is collecting information about fire hot spots, where the smoke began, and how it affected local air. A medical support plan also started on October 12 for eligible residents with haze-related illness. The program covers children, older people, lower-income residents, and others who qualify. This shows how a regional environmental event can quickly become a local health and cost issue.

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这一问题已经在改变日常生活。据《联合早报》报道，自9月4日以来，新加坡的24小时空气污染指数至少六次达到法律所定义的烟霾污染水平。该国环境局正在收集有关火点、烟雾起源以及其如何影响当地空气的资料。一项面向符合条件且患有烟霾相关疾病居民的医疗补助计划也于10月12日启动。该计划覆盖儿童、老年人、低收入居民及其他符合资格者。这说明，一场区域性环境事件可以迅速变成当地的健康与费用问题。

Haze is difficult to control because its source and its effects may be in different countries. Fires can begin on dry land or in forests, while winds carry fine particles far away. A country can close schools, reduce outdoor events, or help people pay for care. Yet these steps mainly deal with the result. They do not stop a fire across the sea.

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烟霾难以控制，因为它的源头和影响可能位于不同国家。火灾可能始于干燥土地或森林，而风会把细小颗粒带到很远的地方。一个国家可以停课、减少户外活动，或帮助人们支付医疗费用。然而，这些措施主要是在处理结果，并不能扑灭海对岸的火灾。

Regional work therefore matters. In July, Indonesia hosted officials from several ASEAN countries to review their shared haze agreement. Indonesia said five provinces at high risk had entered emergency readiness. Its measures included joint patrols, technology-based monitoring, water drops from aircraft, and efforts to change local weather conditions. Officials also discussed a new ASEAN center that could improve monitoring, information sharing, and fast action.

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因此，区域合作十分重要。今年7月，印度尼西亚主持了由多个东盟国家官员参加的会议，审议共同的烟霾协议。印尼称，五个高风险省份已进入紧急戒备状态。相关措施包括联合巡逻、基于技术的监测、飞机投水，以及改变局部天气条件的行动。官员们还讨论了一个新的东盟中心，该中心可改善监测、信息共享和快速行动。

However, meetings alone will not clear the air. Countries need reliable data about where fires start and who controls the land. They also need early warnings and quick action before small fires grow. Climate change can make dry seasons longer and increase fire risk, so plans based only on past weather may no longer be enough. If countries act only after the sky turns grey, the most useful time for prevention has already passed.

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然而，单靠开会不会让空气变清。各国需要可靠数据，以确定火灾从哪里开始、土地由谁控制；还需要预警并迅速行动，在小火变大之前将其控制。气候变化可能延长旱季并增加火灾风险，因此只依据过去天气制定的计划可能已经不够。如果各国等到天空变灰后才采取行动，最有利的预防时机已经过去。

The November talks are important because haze is both an environmental problem and a test of regional cooperation. People in one place may breathe smoke produced somewhere else. No single government can solve that fully on its own. A useful agreement must connect prevention, evidence, public health, and responsibility across borders.

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11月的会谈很重要，因为烟霾既是环境问题，也是对区域合作的考验。一个地方的人可能会吸入另一个地方产生的烟雾。任何单一政府都无法独自彻底解决这一问题。一份有用的协议必须把预防、证据、公共健康和跨境责任连接起来。

新闻来源

Reuters · ASEAN foreign ministers to tackle transboundary haze in November meetings

联合早报 · 9月来至少六次达法令下烟霾污染水平 环境局正收集火点起源等资料

联合早报 · 烟霾津贴计划星期一启动 公众因烟霾就医可获津贴

印度尼西亚环境部 · Indonesia Pimpin Penguatan Aksi ASEAN Hadapi El Niño dan Ancaman Kabut Asap Lintas Batas

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