Kim Son Strengthening capacity to respond to climate change

Reporter (PV): Could you please tell us a little about the recent impacts of climate change on Kim Son district as well as the future trends of climate change impacts?

Mr. Tong Khanh Hai: With a coastline of 18 km, Kim Son cannot avoid having to endure unusual weather and natural disasters caused by climate change and rising sea levels. In fact, in recent years, the area has been frequently affected by storms and tropical depressions, causing great damage to property and crops.

The average temperature in the district tends to increase gradually over the years, with many long heat waves appearing in the summer. Rainfall is not evenly distributed, with heavy rains at times causing difficulties in drainage, increasing flooded areas, increasing coastal erosion, threatening to destroy and reduce the lifespan of traffic works, irrigation works, ports, factories, etc. On the contrary, in the current period, the drought level has increased by 0.2-0.4 times compared to the period 1961-2010.

Saltwater intrusion occurs more frequently and deeper than before. According to the results of the study assessing saltwater intrusion on the Day River, the 1‰ salinity boundary is increasing over time. It is forecasted that by 2050, the saltwater boundary may extend 26.4 km inland (an increase of 2.3 km compared to the baseline period). This has a significant impact on agricultural production and domestic water. In addition, rising sea levels and increased seawater temperatures also have a clear impact on coastal ecosystems.

The future impacts of climate change depend largely on remedial measures, investment, rational and sustainable use of resources and human awareness. If not given due attention, the impacts of climate change on humans and nature will be extremely serious. We will have to face more severe weather phenomena. Rising sea levels will also cause the loss of large areas of coastal land.

Reporter: What solutions has Kim Son district had in the past to respond to climate change? In particular, after 10 years of implementing Resolution 24-NQ/TW dated June 3, 2013 of the 11th Party Central Committee on "Proactively responding to climate change, strengthening resource management and environmental protection", how has Kim Son's capacity to respond to climate change been enhanced?

Mr. Tong Khanh Hai: Over the past years, Kim Son district has actively and effectively implemented the contents, tasks and solutions of the Central and the Province in proactively responding to and adapting to climate change, especially Resolution 24-NQ/TW on "Proactively responding to climate change, strengthening resource management and environmental protection".

Specifically: Implementing protection, promoting the planting of mangrove forests for coastal protection, contributing to wave protection, dyke protection, and natural disaster prevention, up to now, the whole district has more than 700 hectares of mangrove forests. Kim Son has also proactively relocated and rearranged residential areas in areas at risk of being affected by storms, floods, and landslides. For agricultural production, the district has actively transformed the structure of crops and livestock, adjusted crop seasons, and production techniques to adapt to climate change. In 2022, communes and towns in the whole district have converted 52 hectares of ineffective rice land to other crops or rice cultivation combined with aquaculture.

Every year, the district prepares plans and conditions to prevent and mitigate natural disasters, focusing on coastal areas and the Day and Vac river systems, proactively handling the worst situations affecting production and people's lives and ensuring national defense and security.

In addition, Kim Son has changed its strategy to have a more comprehensive vision in planning socio-economic development, considering the overall and anticipating the impacts of climate change on production activities and people's lives. In particular, actively promoting local internal strengths, at the same time taking advantage of capital sources from the Central and the province, as well as openly welcoming non-governmental organizations to support raising community awareness in economic development and adaptation to climate change.

Currently, the area is benefiting from 8 projects and works serving the response to climate change, with a total cost of 4,202 billion VND. Specifically: Road to Con Noi Border Control Station Project, Binh Minh 4 Dyke Construction Project, Binh Minh 2 Dyke Upgrade Project, Binh Minh 3 Dyke Sealing Project, Con Noi Embankment Project, Rural Infrastructure Construction Project in the District (South An River Road), Kim Dai Construction Project to prevent salinity, retain fresh water and respond to the impact of rising sea levels, Urban Infrastructure Improvement Project to minimize the impact of climate change for 4 coastal provinces of North Central Vietnam - Phat Diem Urban Infrastructure Improvement Sub-project.

Up to now, a number of projects have been completed and put into use, bringing practical results, helping localities improve their capacity to prevent storms and floods; protect land, be proactive in regulating water resources, combating drought, water shortages and saltwater intrusion to serve production and respond to climate change.

PV: Given the increasingly complex developments of climate change, what key solutions will the Department continue to advise the district on in response?

Mr. Tong Khanh Hai: In the coming time, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment will continue to advise the district to effectively implement the contents, tasks and solutions of the Central Government and the province in proactively responding to climate change, managing resources and protecting the environment. Accelerate signed or allocated programs and projects to combat climate change to soon bring about effectiveness. Communicate and raise people's awareness of climate change, build safe communities, proactively prevent natural disasters. Promote and support the conversion of agricultural production, conversion of crop and livestock structures, crop rotation structures, production seasons, and use of resilient varieties in the direction of smart adaptation to climate change. Integrate climate change response into master plans, sectoral and occupational planning and the fields of agriculture, industry and services. Diversify resources for climate change response, resource management and environmental protection, towards the goal of sustainable development in the face of climate change impacts.

PV: Thank you!

Nguyen Luu (performed)

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