Summer Haze

Manchester for this past week has been suffering from haze and smoke. Apparently someone set the grass (or is it field) at an open area in a moor on fire, and caused a wild fire that then spread. A news article I read says it was from a firework while another says it is arson; both statements can be right and the same, I guess, if you consider playing fireworks that will most likely cause fire as an act of arson.

Regardless of the definition, it caused large part of the area of Manchester to be covered in haze. It can’t actually be seen clearly, but the air is noticeably murkier and muddier for me, which is miles away from the fire. It was said that people closer to the fire needed to be evacuated while people who have asthma have been suffering. ‘Funny’ how the stupid act of one person caused thousands of people to suffer.

I was reminded of the almost yearly occasion in Malaysia where plantations in our neighbouring country are normally set on fire, which causes millions to suffer. The smoke from the burning not only suffocate the locals, but also thousands of people over the sea. That is also an act of selfishness from a few which has an impact to the many. It was rumoured however that the company who does the burning, is actually a Malaysian company who owns plantation over there. One can assume that the big shots from this company are not affected from the haze due to being cooped in an air-conditioned house but really, how can you escape haze though? It permeates everywhere. Unless these people escape for their holiday and goes to the UK, where someone decided to set the grass at an open area in a moor on fire…

See how our lives are intertwined? At least that’s how I like to see it.

Thank you for reading.