The US consul general in HCMCity, Kenneth Fairfax, yesterday launched the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ second annual interactive video contest Change Your Climate, Change Our World at the city’s University of Natural Sciences. People all over the world aged at least 14 can submit videos of no more than two minutes in length containing any form of artistic expression. They will be judged on originality, creativity, effectiveness, and production quality. Four winners (one each in the 14-17 years and 18+ years categories from the US and outside) will receive the Grand Prize of an all-expenses paid, two-week cultural exchange trip. For non-US winners, this will be a trip to the US while for those from that country, the destination is yet to be determined. The contest will close on January 12 next year. The winners will be announced in March. Source: Viet Nam News … [Read more...] about US consulate announces climate change video contest
Climate change
Positioning tourism on the climate change agenda
As negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP16) are held in Mexico, the role of tourism in combating global warming should once again be highlighted. A COP16 side-event, organized jointly by the Ministry of Tourism of Mexico and UNWTO, “Tourism’s response to climate change: What’s next?" has outlined the progress made by the sector to mitigate its impact and adapt to one of today’s biggest challenges (Cancun, Mexico, December 6). Opening the event, Mexico’s President, Felipe Calderón, stated that “tourism is perfectly compatible with the environment,” and that focus must be placed on tourism’s “environmental calling.” President Felipe Calderón stressed that economic growth need not come at the expense of environmental decline, highlighting tourism as a sector able to provide growth and jobs while mitigating and adapting to climate change. “Our natural resources can and should … [Read more...] about Positioning tourism on the climate change agenda
Project to improve resilience towards climate change in coastal areas Most Recent News
NDO/VNA – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) held a workshop in Hanoi on November 24 to launch a project on improving the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities towards climate change related impacts in Vietnam. The project worth more than US$29 million is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through the UNDP and will be implemented during 2017-2022. It aims at raising resilience against the bad consequences of climate change in Vietnam through building safe homes, increasing the coverage of mangrove forests, and providing trustworthy information concerning climate risks. Accordingly, the project will help build 4,000 houses designed to resist flood and regenerate 4,000 ha of mangrove forests, and update information about losses of disasters and climate. The project is expected to benefit 28 coastal localities, with the focus on northern Nam Dinh province, central Quang Binh, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang … [Read more...] about Project to improve resilience towards climate change in coastal areas Most Recent News
Vietnamese youth leads environmental protection, climate change response
Over the past few years, youth unions at all levels have greatly contributed to the management of natural resources. Young people, with their youth, enthusiasm, and creativity, are the key force in environmental protection and response to climate change.They cleaned up litter and planted mangrove trees to protect land from rising sea levels. The youth union of each locality has developed specific action plans to get young people to participate in environmental protection programs.Tran Thi Hong Chuyen, Deputy Secretary of Phu Tho province’s youth union, said: “All youth unions in our province have pledged to manage the roads they build – clean up village lanes, collect rubbish, and plant trees. We are building basins to contain pesticides left in paddy fields.”Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region is hardest hit by climate change, and young people in Kien Giang province have responsibly developed programs to help local residents adapt, according to Le Trung Ho, … [Read more...] about Vietnamese youth leads environmental protection, climate change response
World Bank to continue helping Vietnam address rapid urbanization, climate change
During her first visit to Vietnam on Saturday, Ms. Tuck said “Vietnam’s transformation from one of the poorest country to a middle-income country in just three decades is an inspiration to many countries around the world. The World Bank looks forward to continue its close partnership with Vietnam to ensure this growth is inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient.” In Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Tuck witnessed the development impacts brought about by World Bank-funded projects. She then traversed the Mekong Delta through Ben Tre province to see first-hand the impacts of climate change on the lives, livelihoods and assets of communities. During her meeting with leaders from Can Tho City, Ms. Tuck discussed the role of cities in the transformation of the Mekong Delta, a region with high population density, and the importance of strengthening urban resilience. … [Read more...] about World Bank to continue helping Vietnam address rapid urbanization, climate change