World Environment Day 2022: Building greener, cleaner lifestyles

On the occasion of World Environment Day 2022, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Thai Van Nong - Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment on a number of related issues.

Many pressing environmental issues

Reporter:Dear Comrade! The theme of World Environment Day 2022 is “Only One Earth” with a series of environmental issues raised. Could you please mention some key contents in the work of protecting the environment globally and in our country today?

Comrade Thai Van Nong:These are a series of issues related to environmental pollution, natural disasters, and climate change with a message to the world to build a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature. Along with that is the implementation of urgent and effective measures to protect the environment, respond to climate change, and save our Earth.

In our country, the environment is also raising many concerns at different levels, such as water and air pollution, uncollected and untreated waste... These issues have been stipulated in the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 (effective from January 1, 2022) to attach responsibility to agencies, organizations, communities, households and individuals in performing environmental protection tasks.

Comrade Thai Van Nong - Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment answered an interview with Nghe An Newspaper. Photo: NVCC

It is important to promote the synchronous implementation of sustainable economic development solutions associated with environmental protection, climate change adaptation, ecosystem balance, and biodiversity conservation.

The collection, classification and treatment of household waste and plastic waste at source, promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly consumption are also considered important through specific regulations on waste treatment and classification of household waste at source; regulations on applying advanced, environmentally friendly waste treatment technology to minimize and control secondary waste generation, minimize the amount of solid waste that must be buried; encourage waste treatment, use of waste as raw materials, fuels, alternative materials, etc.

Pollution on Vinh River. Photo: Mai Hoa

Reporter:In Nghe An province, in your opinion, what is the most pressing environmental issue that needs attention today?

Comrade Thai Van Nong:Through annual investigation, survey and assessment, environmental quality in the province has changed in many positive directions.

However, environmental protection work in Nghe An still has many problems that need to be focused on solving. For example, some facilities causing environmental pollution and serious environmental pollution have not been thoroughly handled; many pesticide residues have not been resolved; and people's reflections on some environmental pollution points are recurring.

The situation of discharging untreated or incompletely treated waste from daily life, livestock, and production still occurs. For domestic solid waste alone, the total daily collection is about 1,120 tons, of which the treatment rate reaches nearly 74% (in rural areas, the treatment rate is lower, only 60%).

The treatment method is by burning and landfill technology at 15 facilities; of which 9 facilities have hygienic treatment, the remaining 6 facilities have not met the standards. In the 9 facilities assessed to have hygienic treatment, the operation process still has many shortcomings, especially the problem of leachate not being collected and treated thoroughly, causing environmental pollution. Therefore, the work of collecting, treating waste, and overcoming environmental pollution from landfills is a pressing issue in the province, affecting the lives of people in many localities.

Collection and treatment of household waste is a pressing environmental issue in the province. Photo: Mai Hoa

Many industrial clusters do not have centralized wastewater systems. Environmental restoration during and after mineral exploitation is not serious and timely in some places. Surface water, underground water, soil and air pollution in some areas has a negative impact on the environment and people's lives.

Along with that, climate change is also taking place with many extreme manifestations. The most obvious is the increase in temperature with hot days lasting longer in each period and higher temperatures leading to drought, shortage of water for daily life and production, and reduced biodiversity.

Storms, tropical depressions, and prolonged heavy rains cause flooding and landslides. Seawater intrusion occurs in some coastal areas, causing salinity in soil and water, affecting daily life, agricultural production, aquaculture, etc.

The wastewater treatment system at Hung Loc Industrial Park (Vinh City) is not yet guaranteed. Photo: Mai Hoa

Do not violate 14 prohibited acts in environmental protection activities

Reporter:What is the solution to solve the above problems, comrade?

Comrade Thai Van Nong:To solve environmental problems arising in the province and respond to World Environment Day 2022 practically, the responsibility does not belong to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment alone but is the common responsibility of organizations, agencies, units, enterprises, communities, families and individuals as prescribed by the Law on Environmental Protection 2020.

Accordingly, each organization and individual must be responsible for researching to properly and fully implement the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2022. At all levels and sectors, it is necessary to create conditions and mobilize agencies, organizations, communities, households and individuals to participate in implementing, inspecting and supervising environmental protection activities; promote scientific research activities, develop technology to treat environmental pollution, recycle and treat waste; prioritize the transfer and application of advanced technology, high technology, environmentally friendly technology, and strengthen human resource training in environmental protection.

Collection activities, "turning waste into useful work" of the Women's Union of Do Luong district". Photo: Mai Hoa

Each organization and individual needs to clearly understand in order to avoid violating 14 prohibited acts in environmental protection activities specifically stipulated in the Law on Environmental Protection. These include discharging wastewater and emissions that have not been treated to meet technical standards into the environment; transporting, burying, filling, dumping, discharging, and burning solid waste and hazardous waste that do not follow technical procedures and regulations of the law on environmental protection.

Along with implementing the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, organizations and individuals in the province also need to be responsible for deploying and effectively implementing Resolution No. 08 of the Provincial Party Executive Committee issued on March 2, 2022 on "Strengthening the Party's leadership in environmental protection work in Nghe An province, period 2022 - 2030".

The focus is on raising awareness and taking action in parallel in environmental protection work among Party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations and the People on environmental protection.

Step by step prevent and overcome environmental pollution and degradation, effectively resolve urgent issues, improve environmental quality and biodiversity; enhance capacity to respond to climate change, ensure environmental security for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development.

Hoang Mai river embankment has been invested and put into use to prevent landslides. Photo: Mai Hoa

The province is also reviewing to amend and promulgate mechanisms, policies and regulations in accordance with the Party's guidelines, the State's regulations and the local conditions and practical requirements in environmental protection. Strengthening resources, including increasing budget expenditures and attracting socialized capital for environmental protection activities. Promoting the application of advanced technology, improving the effectiveness of cooperation and coordination in environmental protection.

On the other hand, the province needs to increase the attraction and integration of investment resources to build projects on dykes and embankments to prevent riverbank and coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion; build and upgrade boat mooring areas; resettlement projects in areas at risk of riverbank and coastal erosion and mountainous areas; programs and projects to innovate people's livelihoods suitable to the conditions of each region, ensuring sustainable development.

The theme of World Environment Day 2022 is “Only One Earth”, calling on each organization and individual to change their habits and behaviors towards a greener, cleaner lifestyle, joining hands to solve major issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution to protect the Earth - our only planet.

Reporter:Thank you for this exchange!