The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has selected the northern coastal city of Hai Phong as the host of activities responding to the World Environment Day 2009 (June 5), with the theme “The Earth needs us to join hand to prevent climate change.”

Climate change has been affecting Vietnam strongly, with the increase of floods, droughts, and storms.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Van Duc said coping with climate change is very urgent and vital for Vietnam because Vietnam is among the five countries under the most serious impacts of climate change.

In the past five decades, Vietnam’s average temperature rose by 0.7 degrees Celsius, while the sea level rose by around 20cm. Climate change has been affecting Vietnam strongly, with the increase of floods, droughts, and storms.

It is forecasted that by 2100, the sea level will rise by 1m and the temperature up by 3 degrees Celsius. If the sea level rises by 1m, 10% of Vietnam’s population will be affected, with around 40,000sq.km of coastal delta flooded annually.

Many activities will be held on the occasion of the World Environment Day, including meetings, parades, seminars, presenting awards to the winners of a national contest on water use and protection, and the launch of the “Students with Environment” contest in Hai Phong.

Last year, the World Environment Day was held in the coastal city of Nha Trang, with the topic “Let’s change your habits.”

Khoi Nguyen