From January through March 1999, a layer of haze, measuring nearly two miles high [up to 3 km high], covered an area of nearly four million square miles [over 10 million sq km], which is greater than the landmass of Canada.
Otsus tehti Eesti Vabariigi presidendi Lennart Meri initsiatiivil kokku kutsutud õpetatud nõukogu valiku ja rahvaküsitluse tulemuste põhjal.