Join hands to protect the environment and respond to climate change

World Water Day 2025, 22 March, was launched by the United Nations with the theme “Conserving Glaciers” to raise global awareness of the important role of glaciers, snow and ice in the Earth’s climate system and hydrological cycle. World Water Day 2025 also encourages the exchange of knowledge and best practices related to glacier conservation and adaptation strategies.

According to the United Nations, about 70% of the world's fresh water is stored in glaciers and ice sheets, providing water for nearly 2 billion people who rely on water from glaciers, snowmelt and mountain streams for drinking, agriculture and energy production. However, due to the impact of climate change, glaciers are melting rapidly, leading to rising sea levels and seriously affecting water security.

Quang Binh has 5 large river systems with a total length of 375km. These river systems are all inland rivers originating from the high mountainous areas of the Truong Son range and flowing into the East Sea. Regarding groundwater resources, the potential reserve of groundwater in the province is about ^500,000m3 /day and night. This is considered an abundant and rich resource but not endless because groundwater resources are unevenly distributed, the depth varies depending on the terrain and rainfall during the year. Currently, Quang Binh is facing major challenges due to over-exploitation of groundwater, saltwater intrusion and water pollution.

Son River has peaceful and poetic natural landscape on both banks, which is effectively exploited for tourism development.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Phan Xuan Hao, in order to protect water resources and meet the needs of sustainable development, in recent times, Quang Binh has focused on solving problems related to protecting the quality of domestic water sources, lakes and irrigation dams in the area, controlling pollution and implementing solutions for sustainable water exploitation. Based on the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Department has proactively reviewed and counted all existing lakes and dams in the area as well as water use needs in order of priority to advise the Provincial People's Committee to plan and mark the corridor to protect the quality of water sources of lakes, irrigation dams and domestic water supply.

Every year, the department coordinates to organize inspections and examinations of organizations and individuals with activities related to water resources; at the same time, it integrates propaganda and guidance for organizations and individuals with activities of exploring, exploiting, using water resources, and discharging wastewater into water sources to comply with the provisions of law. Quang Binh is also a locality that is regularly affected by storms, floods, droughts and high tides. Determining that improving forecasting and early warning capacity is of particular importance in minimizing damage to people and property, the province has focused on investing in the hydrometeorological monitoring system, improving the quality of forecast bulletins, and promoting the application of technology in natural disaster warning.

The water reservoir system in the province is effectively managed and exploited, ensuring the supply of water for daily life and production.

World Meteorological Day on March 23, 2025 was launched by the World Meteorological Organization with the theme "Joining hands for a comprehensive early warning system" to call on countries around the world to strengthen national capacity and promote cooperation at all levels, ensuring that the early warning system operates effectively from global to local scales, contributing to shortening the gap in forecasting and warning of natural disasters, helping policy makers focus on risk reduction and community protection.

Agencies, organizations and individuals in the province jointly organize activities to respond to the Earth Hour Campaign worldwide by turning off lights and unnecessary electrical equipment from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 22, 2025. At the same time, regularly and continuously maintain the habit of using energy efficiently and economically, associated with conserving energy resources from production to consumption at households to balance the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and aim for the maximum conversion to renewable energy.

The Earth Hour 2025 campaign was launched by the World Wildlife Fund with the theme "Green transition, green future" to emphasize the determination to transform strongly and comprehensively, promoting the green transformation process with green economic models, green lifestyles, and green consumption. At the same time, calling on the whole society, including communities and businesses, to take practical actions for a green future and sustainable development. Earth Hour 2025 will take place from 20:30 to 21:30 on March 22, 2025.

“In response to the theme of World Water Day, World Meteorological Day and Earth Hour Campaign 2025, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has promoted propaganda to raise public awareness of environmental protection and climate change response on mass media and social networks. Along with that, propaganda and encouragement of the development of green economic models, sustainable ecotourism; implementation of environmental education programs in schools and communities and strengthening cooperation with scientific and environmental organizations to research solutions to protect water resources and respond to natural disasters”, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Phan Xuan Hao emphasized.

Three major events in March 2025 are opportunities for Quang Binh to join hands in action for a sustainable environment. Each individual and organization in the province needs to enhance their responsibility in protecting water resources, strengthening disaster warnings and promoting green transformation, contributing to building a green-clean-beautiful homeland of Quang Binh and sustainable development in the future.

Hien Chi

Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/kinh-te/202503/cung-chung-tay-bao-ve-moi-truong-va-ung-pho-voi-bien-doi-khi-hau-2225092/