One of the key environmental problems facing South Asia is a layer of air pollution, known as the Atmospheric Brown Cloud that covers large parts of the region. Much of this pollution is caused by farmers burning agricultural field residue. This pollution has a significant negative impact on people's health and on regional climate and crop output. A recent SANDEE study from India's Punjab region looks at the factors that drive field residue burning. It also assesses the potential of new technology to address the problem. The study is the work of Ridhima Gupta, from the Indian Statistical Institute in Delhi.