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Vietnam’s Climate Crisis: Recent Developments

GOOVER DAILY REPORT September 28, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Overview of Climate Change Effects in Vietnam
  3. Government Responses
  4. Challenges Faced
  5. Environmental Issues
  6. Regional Climate Variations
  7. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • This report investigates the substantial effects of climate change on Vietnam over the past three years. It examines various environmental shifts, including rising temperatures, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, highlighting the adverse impacts on the country's socio-economic development and environment. Key findings reveal that frequent natural disasters and salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta continue to pose significant threats. Despite mitigation efforts from the government and international collaborations, greenhouse gas emissions and unsustainable agricultural practices remain critical issues. Strategies and policies from the 13th National Party Congress and the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control have been central to Vietnam's climate response efforts.

2. Overview of Climate Change Effects in Vietnam

  • 2-1. Increase in Average Temperatures

  • Vietnam has reported a surge in average temperatures, significantly impacting socio-economic development and the daily lives of its citizens. The notable rise in temperatures has been highlighted as a critical issue during the 13th National Party Congress, emphasizing the urgency of implementing solutions to combat climate change.

  • 2-2. Rising Sea Levels

  • The phenomenon of rising sea levels poses a serious threat to Vietnam. This issue leads to salinity intrusion and exacerbates hydrological problems, notably floods and sedimentation challenges. The coastal regions, particularly the Mekong Delta, are among the most vulnerable. Excessive groundwater extraction has further aggravated land subsidence, compounding the effects of sea level rise.

  • 2-3. Extreme Weather Events

  • Vietnam has experienced a range of extreme weather events in recent years. The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control reported 1,964 natural disasters consisting of 21 types in the past year, resulting in significant human and property losses. Events such as severe cold spells, droughts, saltwater intrusion, landslides, and flooding have plagued different regions, including the Mekong Delta and northern territories. The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting anticipates further storms and tropical depressions impacting the region, indicating a troubling trend of increasing weather volatility.

3. Government Responses

  • 3-1. 13th National Party Congress Initiatives

  • The 13th National Party Congress of Vietnam has emphasized the importance of protecting and improving the environment while addressing climate change and natural disasters. This focus comes in response to increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and the prevalence of extreme weather, which have significant impacts on the nation's socio-economic development and the lives of its people.

  • 3-2. Disaster Management Strategies

  • In response to the various natural disasters occurring in Vietnam, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control reported a staggering 1,964 disasters, comprising 21 different types, last year alone. Such disasters have resulted in considerable human and property losses. The country has faced record-breaking temperatures, flooding, saltwater intrusion, landslides, and other extreme weather events. The government has recognized disaster risk management as a vital task, implementing various strategies and policies to enhance its capacity to respond to such challenges.

  • 3-3. International Collaborations

  • Vietnam is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with approximately 55% of its population residing in low-elevation coastal areas. This vulnerability has driven the country to collaborate with international organizations to address the challenges posed by climate change effectively. Such partnerships are essential for sharing knowledge, resources, and disaster response strategies, contributing to the country's overall resilience in the face of ongoing climate threats.

4. Challenges Faced

  • 4-1. Natural Disasters and Their Socioeconomic Impact

  • Vietnam has experienced significant natural disasters that have greatly affected its socioeconomic development. According to the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, there were 1,964 recorded natural disasters of 21 different types in the previous year, resulting in considerable human and material losses. Recent extreme weather events included record-breaking temperatures, severe cold spells, drought, saltwater intrusion, landslides, flooding in the Mekong Delta, and hail storms across various regions. The impact of these disasters poses ongoing risks to people's lives and livelihood, as highlighted in the Vietnam News Headlines on June 21, 2024.

  • 4-2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam are a significant concern, contributing to climate change and its impacts on the environment. The country has undertaken measures to address these emissions, but challenges remain in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. The increasing level of emissions exacerbates the adverse effects of climate change, making it critical for Vietnam to enhance its mitigation strategies.

  • 4-3. Unsustainable Agricultural Practices

  • Unsustainable agricultural practices in Vietnam are contributing to environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution. Practices such as logging and slash-and-burn agriculture are prevalent, leading to a decrease in agricultural productivity and threatening the marine life populations due to overfishing and groundwater contamination. These unsustainable methods pose a long-term risk to the country’s food security and environmental health, as mentioned in the Geography of Vietnam entry on Wikipedia.

5. Environmental Issues

  • 5-1. Deforestation and Land Degradation

  • Deforestation and land degradation in Vietnam significantly impact the environment, primarily driven by logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices. These activities contribute to the degradation of soil quality and loss of biodiversity. The rapid urbanization and human migration in areas like Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City exacerbate these issues, resulting in extensive environmental harm. As stated in the reference document from Wikipedia, these practices are serious contributors to the current environmental crisis.

  • 5-2. Water Pollution

  • Water pollution in Vietnam is a significant environmental concern, threatening both human health and marine life populations. Overfishing and contamination of groundwater sources further contribute to the scarcity of potable water supply. The ongoing pollution issues affect aquatic ecosystems, as mentioned in the geography overview from Wikipedia, reflecting the pressing need for effective management and restoration efforts to safeguard water resources.

  • 5-3. Salinity Intrusion

  • Salinity intrusion poses a serious threat to Vietnam's agricultural sector, especially in the context of rising sea levels and changing climate patterns. The intrusion of saltwater into rivers and irrigation supplies degrades soil quality, complicating existing agricultural practices. According to an article on irrigation from Wikipedia, this issue is predicted to worsen, leading to increased challenges for farming and food security in the future.

6. Regional Climate Variations

  • 6-1. Monsoon Influence

  • Vietnam has a monsoon-influenced climate typical of mainland Southeast Asia. The atmospheric circulation impacting Vietnam is part of the Southeast Asian monsoon circulation, characterized by two permanent atmospheric pressures: the equatorial low pressure and the subtropical high pressure. This influence leads to significant variations in climate across different regions of the country.

  • 6-2. Temperature and Precipitation Patterns

  • The northern region of Vietnam experiences a temperate climate (Cfa) with four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Winters are typically dry, while summers can range from hot to mild. In contrast, the southern and central parts of the country have a tropical monsoon climate (Aw) marked by only two seasons: rainy and dry. Additionally, temperate climates are present in mountainous areas, such as Sa Pa and Da Lat.

  • 6-3. Regional Differences in Climate Impact

  • Vietnam's diverse topography and latitude (spanning over 15°) contribute to significant climatic variations between regions. Approximately 20% of Vietnam's total surface area is low-elevation coastal land, making the country highly vulnerable to impacts from climate change, especially rising sea levels.

7. Conclusion

  • The last three years have underscored the grave impact of climate change on Vietnam, marked by rising temperatures, sea levels, and frequent natural disasters. These challenges have posed significant socio-economic threats, especially in regions like the Mekong Delta. Efforts by the 13th National Party Congress and the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, alongside international collaborations, have been pivotal in addressing these issues. However, balancing economic development with environmental sustainability remains a significant challenge. Emission control and sustainable agricultural practices are areas needing substantial improvement. Future resilience depends on continued and enhanced efforts against evolving climate threats. Practical strategies, especially in managing salinity intrusion and greenhouse gas emissions, are crucial for minimizing impacts and ensuring sustainable development.

8. Glossary

  • 8-1. 13th National Party Congress [Event]

  • An important governmental meeting held to address various national issues, including environmental protection and climate change strategies. The congress underscored the importance of improving environmental sustainability and disaster management.

  • 8-2. Mekong Delta [Geographical Region]

  • A key agricultural and economic region in southern Vietnam that has been severely affected by climate change, particularly through flooding and salinity intrusion due to rising sea levels.

  • 8-3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions [Environmental Issue]

  • A major contributing factor to climate change. In Vietnam, emissions primarily come from the energy sector, agriculture, and industrial practices, posing significant environmental and health challenges.

  • 8-4. National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control [Organization]

  • A governmental body focused on disaster risk management and implementing strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.

  • 8-5. Salinity Intrusion [Environmental Issue]

  • A significant problem for Vietnam, where rising sea levels lead to the contamination of freshwater supplies, adversely impacting agriculture and livelihoods, particularly in the Mekong Delta.

9. Source Documents