Vietnam Launches Global Campaign on Climate Change

Vietnam launched a global campaign on climate change 350.org in Ho Chi Minh City Aug 11, with an aim to improve the public awareness of climate change and environmental issues. With the campaign entitled “Moving planet” this year, many activities are held, such as climate camps to provide training on climate change and help local residents who are directly affected by climate change in HCM City’s Can Gio district. The global campaign also includes communication campaigns at schools to raise awareness on climate change, build a preference towards “green” living and encourage renewable energy sources, and call on families and agencies to paint their house roofs white and plant creepers on walls to reduce indoor temperature and save energy. On the global action day of Sept 24, the campaign 350.org coordination board will mobilize thousands of local people to go to schools and offices by bicycle or on foot. Especially, it will have a moving art festival that will showcase environmentally themed paintings made of straws, a breakdance contest and a week of no straws in cafes in the city. The campaign 350.org has been launched in 188 countries worldwide with the aim to mitigate impacts of climate change, Hoang Minh Hong, a coordinator of the national campaign, said, adding that 350 means 350ppm – the maximum safe level for the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere according to scientists’ latest calculation. She added the current CO2 content is 393ppm, urging prompt actions to prevent serious consequences caused by climate change.  Listed among five hardest-hit countries by climate change, Vietnam has so far mobilized more than $1.2 billion in aid from the international community in efforts to tackle climate change. (Tuoi Tre Aug 11, vietnamplus.vn Aug 11, www.cpv.org.vn Aug 12)