Indonesia wildfire emissions hit world's highest, surpassing Russia

Indonesia's wildfire emissions from Borneo and Sumatra reached 19.7 million metric tons in the first week of September, overtaking Russia and accounting for over a third of the global total, per EU Copernicus data. The surge, driven by parched forest and peatland, signals a severe dry season and potential for sustained regional air pollution and carbon release. This marks a notable escalation in Indonesia's fire season, with implications for global carbon emissions and regional health.