As many as 13 out of 63 provinces and cities across Vietnam will take part in a global campaign on climate change 350.org, on Sept 15 with an aim to improve the public awareness of climate change and environmental issues. With the campaign entitled “Moving planet” this year, the event will include communication campaigns at schools to raise awareness on climate change, 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 nationwide. 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. The current CO2 content is 393ppm, she added, urging prompt actions to prevent serious consequences caused by climate change. Vietnam is listed among five hardest-hit countries by climate change. If sea level rises one meter, 5% of the country’s land, 11% of its population and 7% of its agricultural land would be affected with the losses estimated at 10% of GDP. So far, the government has received more than $1.2 billion in aid from the international community in efforts to cope with climate change, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said. (Sai Gon Giai Phong – Saigon Liberation Sept 13)
