Vietnam's Strategy on Climate Change and How You Can Help

Global climate change is triggering global warming every day, resulting in serious consequences such as melting icebergs, rising sea levels, rainstorms, floods; even natural disasters or large-scale devastation such as earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, etc. All of these factors have been causing a shortage of food and an increase in disease in humans and livestock. Climate change is now becoming an imperative matter for all the countries in the world. So what is Vietnam’s strategy on climate change to tackle this issue?

Climate Change Effects in Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the countries heavily affected by climate change due to our long and narrow coastline. Vietnam is also one of the five countries predicted to have the hardest impact most directly by sea level rise in the next 100 years.

Vietnam is considered to be one of the countries heavily affected by climate change

According to climate change scenarios in Vietnam, by the end of the 21st century, there will be about 40% of the Mekong River Delta, 11% of the Red River Delta, and 3% of the other coastal areas submerged because of the increasing sea levels. At that point, 10-12% of Vietnam's population will be directly affected, with a loss of about 10% of GDP.

See more about Vietnam’s geography and climate.

Vietnam’s Strategy on Climate Change

To encourage the efforts of the Vietnamese in solving the climate change problem, Vietnam’s strategy on climate change issued by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Decision 2139/QĐ-TTg on December 5th, 2011.

The main target of Vietnam’s strategy on climate change is promoting the national synergy and conducting the adaptation measures simultaneously to the impacts of climate change; ensuring the safety of people's lives and property, aiming at sustainable development.

The strategic missions of Vietnam’s Strategy on Climate Change are:

• Proactive response to natural disasters and climate monitoring with early warnings and mitigating natural disasters’ losses
• Guarantee the food and water resources
• Actively response to rising sea levels in sensitive areas (like islands and coast)
• Build sustainable forest development to increase greenhouse gas absorption and biodiversity conservation
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (with renewable energy, effective power usage, and waste management)
• Strengthen the leading role of the government in responding to climate change (increase research and put climate change effect in making decision process)
• Build communities to respond effectively to climate change (increase medical development and public awareness)
• Develop advanced science and technology in response to climate change
• Increase international cooperation and integration to enhance national standing in climate change issues
• Diversify financial resources and focus investment effectively

How You Can Contribute to Reduce Climate Change Effects in Vietnam

Reduce the use of plastic bags

Paper or canvas bags are easy to recycle for reuse and great alternatives for plastic bags. The compostable plastic bag is another option, but the best is to refuse plastic bags and to bring your own reusable bags when shopping at supermarkets or convenience stores (Vietnamese street vendors love plastic bags but you can refuse the bags).

Replace plastic bags by reusing bags

Consume less, recycle more

The less you consume, the fewer emissions you will have:

• Deliver unnecessary clothing to recycling centers or sell them. Items that are torn and damaged can always be recycled or renewed. Book exchange is also a good way to recycle to protect the environment and share knowledge; you can find groups like the Book Exchange Town project of Foreign Trade University in Ho Chi Minh City.
• Walk or commute by public transportation. Fewer cars mean less smoke to our environment.
  

See more on Zero-Waste Travel in Ho Chi Minh

Always think about the water resources

You can:

• Turn off the water while brushing teeth, washing dishes or shampooing.
• Repair your leaking pipe or tap to avoid wasting water.
• There is also a water system in the bathroom for reuse like filtering used water to use in the toilet to flush.

Plant more and more trees

Trees are always considered as the "lungs" of the Earth. Planting more trees helps provide large amounts of oxygen (on average, one tree can provide enough oxygen for four people). At the same time, they also absorb dust and harmful gas, refreshing the air. In Vietnam, there are some environmental organizations with activities like planting trees like VNCNE (Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment) or Communist Youth Union.

See more about Volunteer in Vietnam.

Tree planting campaign

Summary of Vietnam’s Strategy on Climate Change

Climate change is a global issue that requires a huge effort from all of the people around the world. Vietnam’s strategy on climate change is still focusing on protecting the sensitive areas from possible damages, studying the use of renewable energy, developing sufficient waste management, and increasing public awareness. What is the difference between strategy on climate change of Vietnam and your countries? Share with us in the comment section below!

Learn more on responsible travel in Vietnam.