SINGAPORE (Realist English) . Singapore, one of the richest cities in the world, is experiencing severe air pollution. Toxic smog caused by forest fires in neighboring Indonesia has pushed air quality in this financial center to the “very unhealthy” level.
Current situation: index 216
According to the Swiss air quality monitoring agency IQAir, Singapore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached 216. This corresponds to the “very unhealthy” category.
This week, Singapore took first place in the global list of cities with the dirtiest air. Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, also suffering from Indonesian fires, follows behind it.
Thick smog has significantly reduced visibility. The outlines of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and other skyscrapers have become blurred and almost indistinguishable.
Cause: peatland fires and “super El Niño”
The immediate cause of the pollution is forest fires in Indonesia. Every year during the dry season, vast peatlands are drained and burned. The goal is to free up land for commercial plantations, primarily for palm oil. This has become a recurring problem.
But this year the situation is more serious. The expected “super El Niño” phenomenon has brought abnormally dry conditions to the region. This created the preconditions for unusually intense fires.
Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported “moderate to dense smoke plumes” from central and southern Sumatra, as well as from West Kalimantan. They are moving toward Singapore. The agency warned: with southeast or south winds, the smog may continue to spread.
A packed weekend and a pollution crisis
The pollution crisis coincided with Singapore’s preparations for a packed weekend. These include international conferences and the night race of the Singapore Grand Prix of Formula 1. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) stated: outdoor entertainment events may be affected. But the race itself is not threatened. Organizers stated: they do not yet plan to change the entertainment program.
This is not the first time the Singapore Grand Prix has been held in smog conditions. The 2015 and 2019 races were also held in thick smog. But the competitions took place. Cadillac driver Bottas stated: “It doesn’t feel as extreme.” Ferrari driver Hamilton said there are “more important problems worth paying attention to.”
Wealth and pollution
Singapore, with a population of about 6.21 million and annual GDP of more than $650 billion, is a key financial center of Asia. In terms of GDP per capita, Singapore ranks 36th in the global city ranking according to Oxford Economics — about $99,354 per person.
However, this wealthy city-state has suffered for decades from smog caused by fires in a neighboring country. It experiences it almost annually. This contrast highlights a structural problem: wealth does not protect against transboundary environmental disasters. Peatland burning in Indonesia is a systemic problem driven by commercial interests. Climate change in the form of “super El Niño” makes it even more serious and less controllable.
