Construction of sea dykes in Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - A series of solutions to adapting to sea level rise caused byclimate change have been taken in Vietnam, as the phenomenon is posing grave challengesto the ecosystem, biodiversity and natural resources as well as human life.
Many researches have affirmed that the sea level is rising in the century withthe main cause of climate change.
With over 3,260 kilometers of coastline stretching from the north to the south,and about 50 percent of the population living in lowland areas, Vietnam isconsidered one of the most vulnerable and being negatively impacted by sealevel rise.
In 2007, the World Bank estimated that a one-meter rise in sea level could affect 10 percent of Vietnam’s population,with a GDP loss of about 10 percent; and a three-meter rise in sea level candirectly impact about 25 percent of the country’s population, causing a GDPloss of 25 percent.
It can beseen that consequences of climate change and sea level rise for Vietnam areserious, including a visible risk for poverty reduction targets, and negativeimpacts on the realization of millennium and sustainable development goals.
As the country cannot avoid sea level rise impacts, scientists have selectedadaptation solutions to the problem, focusing on physical interventions;technical solutions for infrastructure construction such as sea dykes,embankments, dams to prevent salty water, or canals to control flood.
Ecosystem-basedadaptation measures, such as strengthening the planting of coastal protectionforests and mangroves, and increasing investments in wetlands and replenishmentof land for beaches are applied.
Improvinginfrastructure facilities and changingfarming habits are other solutions. These are made through adjusting managementpolicies and changing standards related to construction, land use andenvironmental protection, towards minimizing vulnerability and increasingadaptability of the community in the context of climate change and sea levelrise.
The lastsolution to the issue is resettlement and displacement of houses andinfrastructure facilities out of areas with high risks of submergence.
Experts said that impacts caused by sea level rise should be consideredas an important indicator for the process of policymaking, thus strengtheningthe adaptability of each locality and the country in general amidst theincreasingly complicated climate change and sea level rise. -VNA
Many researches have affirmed that the sea level is rising in the century withthe main cause of climate change.
With over 3,260 kilometers of coastline stretching from the north to the south,and about 50 percent of the population living in lowland areas, Vietnam isconsidered one of the most vulnerable and being negatively impacted by sealevel rise.
In 2007, the World Bank estimated that a one-meter rise in sea level could affect 10 percent of Vietnam’s population,with a GDP loss of about 10 percent; and a three-meter rise in sea level candirectly impact about 25 percent of the country’s population, causing a GDPloss of 25 percent.
It can beseen that consequences of climate change and sea level rise for Vietnam areserious, including a visible risk for poverty reduction targets, and negativeimpacts on the realization of millennium and sustainable development goals.
As the country cannot avoid sea level rise impacts, scientists have selectedadaptation solutions to the problem, focusing on physical interventions;technical solutions for infrastructure construction such as sea dykes,embankments, dams to prevent salty water, or canals to control flood.
Ecosystem-basedadaptation measures, such as strengthening the planting of coastal protectionforests and mangroves, and increasing investments in wetlands and replenishmentof land for beaches are applied.
Improvinginfrastructure facilities and changingfarming habits are other solutions. These are made through adjusting managementpolicies and changing standards related to construction, land use andenvironmental protection, towards minimizing vulnerability and increasingadaptability of the community in the context of climate change and sea levelrise.
The lastsolution to the issue is resettlement and displacement of houses andinfrastructure facilities out of areas with high risks of submergence.
Experts said that impacts caused by sea level rise should be consideredas an important indicator for the process of policymaking, thus strengtheningthe adaptability of each locality and the country in general amidst theincreasingly complicated climate change and sea level rise. -VNA
VNA