Many international organizations agree that Vietnam is in fact one of the countries most affected by climate change. Accordingly, climate change will be one of the factors that reduce Vietnam's growth. Without effective adaptation solutions, a temperature increase of 1.0℃ and 1.5℃ could cause losses of about 1.8% of GDP and 4.5% of GDP, respectively; economic losses of about 4.3 billion USD in the next 10 years. If sea levels rise and temperatures increase in the worst case scenario, it is estimated that by 2050, Vietnam will have about 3.1 million people who will have to migrate internally.
Deputy Director of the Department of Climate Change Pham Van Tan (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment):
“ The National Strategy on Climate Change for the period up to 2050 emphasizes that responding to climate change is the responsibility of the entire political system and the entire society. The State plays a creative and leading role; people and businesses play a central role and are the implementing subjects. This process requires continuous, steadfast efforts and unity in awareness and action .”
Vietnam's coastal areas are severely affected by rising sea levels and climate-related hazards such as storms and tropical depressions, floods and landslides. Rising sea levels will increase the risk of coastal flooding. Climate change accelerates land degradation, increases salinity, reduces rice yields and has many other environmental consequences; reduces coastal biodiversity, changes ecosystems in low-lying areas; and reduces forest areas and natural vegetation.
In terms of the most affected areas, the Mekong Delta is the most affected, followed by the Red River Delta. About 1.1 million tons of aquaculture products, equivalent to US$935 million, are at risk of being lost due to flooding each year. Most coastal industrial zones are inundated. An estimated 35% of constructions in coastal areas are eroded; 42% of coastal hotels are located near landslide areas; and two-thirds of the dyke system (over 2,659 km) may fail to meet safety standards.
In addition to the identified economic losses, Vietnam is also at high risk of suffering non-economic losses such as loss of human life and health of people and communities or opportunity costs when economic zones are relocated, loss of land due to erosion, loss of cultural heritage and local knowledge, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The situation with the above scenarios shows that there is a need for drastic solutions to cope with climate change. There is a need for new ways for people to see that climate change is the cause of health impacts and impacts on the ecosystem, that people are attached to the ecosystem and must withstand and adapt. From there, there are appropriate solutions, turning the challenges of climate change into opportunities for proactive mitigation and adaptation based on the principle of harmonious resolution, efficiency, and conformity with the natural succession are put first.
In particular, it is necessary to have full calculations and appropriate planning options for production activities of industries and sectors, population distribution and economic development transformation according to appropriate industry and territorial structures as well as solutions for each industry, sector and region regarding the impact of climate change in the new context.
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Huy, climate change expert
“ The most urgent thing is that each person and each family needs to improve their resilience to natural disasters and extreme climate. People often say “when the water rises, duckweed floats”, Vietnamese people see the water rising and raise furniture and build banks. But those are spontaneous adaptations that are “waiting until the water reaches your feet”. Most spontaneous adaptations of Vietnamese people will not be effective in the long term. We must turn them into strategic, planned and long-term adaptations to thoroughly solve the problem. Therefore, the role of local authorities at different levels in adaptation is very important, it is necessary to guide that process and not let people adapt spontaneously. The State has a role in guiding policies and planning the path, but implementation must be by the entire population, one person at a time. Therefore, it is necessary to change both people's awareness and actions - that is the core to create specific results ”.
In the context of the world joining hands to respond to climate change, Vietnam needs to further strengthen international cooperation, seize opportunities to transfer new generation science and technology, financial investment and international experience in responding to climate change.
According to experts, green development in Vietnam is an effective solution to adapt to climate change in Vietnam. Green development in Vietnam is not beyond the general philosophy of the world, according to which this is a development that can meet current needs without affecting or harming the ability to meet the needs of future generations.
The main characteristics of green development in the world as well as in Vietnam also have 4 characteristics. One is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making efforts to reduce the use of energy from fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas).
Second is to increase the use of green energy by investing in research and development of green, environmentally friendly energy sources.
Third is to focus on saving energy and water because these are both valuable resources, especially water.
Fourth is to actively protect and restore ecosystems. These ecosystems are important for the survival of organisms, maintaining biodiversity, keeping carbon in the soil and mitigating climate change.
On July 26, 2022, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 896/QD-TTg approving the National Strategy on Climate Change for the period up to 2050 to proactively and effectively adapt, reduce vulnerability, loss and damage caused by climate change.
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/bien-doi-khi-hau-va-cau-chuyen-ung-pho-tu-viet-nam.html
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