“The public should look for the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) logo on palm oil products to ensure they do not buy from companies that engage in unsustainable practices, such as the deforestation of peatlands,” said Varkkey, who is also a political scientist.

In a 2022 report co-written by Varkkey, the professor attributed the ongoing transboundary haze problem across Southeast Asia to the deforestation and draining of peatlands.

When peatlands are drained and cleared for agriculture, they dry out quickly, releasing large volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, making them extremely fire-prone.

The report, published on storytelling studio Kontinentalist, also claimed that the damage done to peatlands, coupled with drier weather from the recurring El Nino cycles, worsen the fires linked to land clearing for agricultural usage.

However, Varkkey said, the influence of anthropogenic factors – environmental change caused or influenced by people – on the severity of haze was growing.

“Haze episodes in non-drought years saw a decoupling of haze from these climatic cycles, which shows that humans are becoming more important drivers of environmental change than climate weather patterns,” she said.

In July, the meteorological department (MetMalaysia) reported that the El Nino phenomenon is expected to have a more significant impact in early 2024 when its intensity reaches its peak.

“This can cause an increase in temperature and a reduction in rainfall, as well as transboundary haze occurrences if the burning of forests and peatlands is not controlled,” said MetMalaysia in a statement.

Varkkey urged the public to purchase palm oil and acacia products with visible RSPO or other sustainability certifications.

“As more people make these ethical purchasing decisions, there is more incentive for companies to seek sustainability certifications,” she said.