Climate change: Adapt instead of react

Instead of reacting and using coercive measures, we must focus on solutions to adapt to climate change and mitigate the damage caused by natural disasters.

This was the opinion of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang in the "People Ask - Minister Answers" program on the evening of April 5th.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang.

We need to change our mindset.

According to Minister Nguyen Minh Quang, climate change is a global issue, a challenge for humanity in the 21st century. Vietnam is one of the five countries most affected by climate change, with significant annual losses of life and property (from 2001 to 2010). In the past 10 years, approximately 9,500 people have died or gone missing due to climate change; annual GDP losses amount to about 1.5%...

According to a climate change scenario, by the end of this century, specifically in 2100, the average temperature in Vietnam will increase by 2-3 degrees Celsius, and sea levels could rise by up to 1 meter. If this situation occurs, 39% of the Mekong Delta will be flooded, and Ho Chi Minh City will be flooded by about 20%. Meanwhile, about 10% of the Red River Delta provinces will be flooded, and 3% of the central provinces. Approximately 10% of Vietnam's population will be directly affected by climate change.

Therefore, to address this issue, Minister Nguyen Minh Quang affirmed that from now until 2020, we must focus primarily on adaptation rather than using coercive measures. For example, the Dutch national dike construction program (a coercive measure) was once considered very successful, but even the Dutch themselves now believe it needs to be reconsidered.

Currently, we need to change our mindset and focus on solutions for adapting to climate change and mitigating damage from natural disasters. "When we have better conditions and more resources, we will have measures to respond to climate change," the Minister said.

And we need more solutions.

Minister Nguyen Minh Quang stated that solutions to address climate change must be considered within a global context, in relation to international efforts, as Vietnam cannot stand alone. International organizations such as the World Bank (WB), Japan's JICA, and many others from countries like Germany and Denmark are very interested in and supportive of Vietnam. Although these are loan funds, these resources are crucial.

Given this situation, the Government established the National Committee on Climate Change, headed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Over the past period, the Government has issued many important documents such as the National Strategy on Climate Change and the National Target Program on Responding to Climate Change.

According to the Prime Minister's conclusions at a meeting in early 2015, the planning needs to be reviewed and updated over the next five years. Specifically, resources will be allocated to focus on planting mangrove forests over the next five years to respond to climate change. This is because the area of ​​mangrove forests has been severely reduced due to economic development. Therefore, it is our responsibility to restore these forests.

In addition, it is necessary to construct "soft dikes"—areas of alluvial land where mangroves can grow and block waves from entering—as well as build sluices to prevent saltwater intrusion and retain freshwater in vulnerable areas. In cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho, flood control systems also need to be built...

According to Minister Nguyen Minh Quang, climate change presents not only challenges but also opportunities for us to transform growth. In areas affected by saltwater intrusion, instead of primarily producing rice, we can shift to crops and livestock suitable for these saline conditions.

According to Chinhphu.vn