Drastic responses needed to climate change

VGP – Over a half century, in Việt Nam, the mean temperature has increased by 0.7 degree Celsius and the sea water level risen up by 20cm. Climate change has made natural disasters worse and worse here. And the Mekong Delta is expected to suffer worst impacts.

November 12, 2009 11:42 AM GMT+7

Minister, Chairman of the Office of Government Nguyễn Xuân Phúc gives the opening speech at the 1^st

Climate Change in Mekong Delta Forum, Cần Thơ City, November 12, 2009 – Photo: VGP

At a forum on climate change in the Mekong delta, opened this morning in the southern city of Cần Thơ, Minister, Chairman of the Office of Government Nguyễn Xuân Phúc once again underlined climate change-related challenges facing Việt Nam.

It is predicted that Việt Nam is one of countries suffering worst effects of climate change. Thus, Việt Nam needs to promptly prevent or mitigate negative impacts, otherwise everything will be too late, said the Minister.

As forecast by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, by 2100, the mean temperature in Việt Nam can be 3 degree Celsius higher and the sea water level goes up 1m, submerging tens of thousands of square kilometers of coastal plains of Việt Nam.

Measures for Việt Nam to cope with impacts of climate change will be placed on the table by managers, scientists and experts during the two-day meeting on November 12-13.

The Mekong Delta is the region most terribly affected by climate change

In the plenary, attendants will discuss the Convention on Climate Change, threats to Việt Nam, especially in the Mekong Delta, and the country’s response scenarios. The technical session will consist of some discussions to conclude future plans and strategies to adapt to and mitigate impacts of climate change.

The forum was jointly held by the Office of Government, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Party Central Committee Office, National Assembly Office, State President Office, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the People’s Committee of Cần Thơ City.

By Hoàng Xuân