With diesel prices climbing, it’s cheaper to clear fields with fire than with tractors. The effect on pollution is catastrophic.
David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy and commodities. Previously, he worked for Bloomberg News, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.
Fields of fire.
Photographer: NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images
Murk is once again descending on India’s festival of light.
Delhi is one of the world’s most polluted cities at the best of times, but in the days leading up to Sunday's Diwali festival the gloom is deepening. To the usual fumes from 8 million cars and weather conditions that stop haze from dissipating, you can add the smoke from millions of contraband fireworks — and the soot from tens of thousands of rice paddies that go up in flames at the turn of the season.
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