Impact of Climate change in Vietnam

Climate change is a change in climate and related components including oceans, land, earth's surface, and the cryosphere such as increasing temperature, melting ice, and sea level rise. Previously, climate change occurred over a long period of time due to the impact of natural conditions, but recently, climate change occurs due to the impact of human activities such as the use of fossil fuels in the transportation and industrial production, emitting greenhouse gasses (e.g CO2).

Vietnam is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. According to the annual assessment of the countries most affected by extreme weather events in the period 1997-2016, Vietnam ranked 5th in the Global Climate Risk Index in 2018 and 8th in the Global Climate Risk long term Index (CRI).

Let's learn about the problem of climate change in Vietnam, its causes and solutions.

1. Climate change in Vietnam

As mentioned above, climate change in Vietnam will lead to the fact that, in the coming decades, Vietnam will be among the countries most affected by global climate change. A large number of studies show that Vietnam is experiencing climate change and will be severely negatively affected in the coming decades. These negative impacts include sea level rise, saline intrusion and other hydrological problems such as floods, estuarine changes, and sedimentation, as well as increased frequency of natural disasters such as cold waves, tides will cause negative effects on the development and economy of the country, including: agriculture, aquaculture, road infrastructure, etc.

Some problems such as land subsidence (due to over-exploitation of groundwater) exacerbate some of the impacts that climate change will bring (sea level rise), especially in areas such as the Mekong Delta. Governments, NGOs and citizens have taken various measures to mitigate and adapt to the impact.

New records are still being set every year. The phrases “record heavy rain”, “record heat”, “record flood”, etc., have been appearing more and more popular in the media in Vietnam in recent years. 2017 is considered a record year of natural disasters in Vietnam, with more than 16 storms and floods contrary to historical rules. For example, there are 18-19 cyclones and tropical depressions in the East Sea in some years, but there are also years when there are only 4-6 cyclones and tropical depressions. Winds reaching 12 or higher have increased slightly from 1990 to 2015.

The average temperature in the North and North Central of Vietnam is currently 0.5 - 1.0°C higher than the average temperature of previous years according to calculations based on updated data of 30 years or more. 

Changes in water resources (rainfall, river level) in 2018 also increased significantly compared to the average level of 2017. In 2018 recorded numbers of temperature in the past 46 years in Ha Noi with the highest temperature sometimes reaching 42°C.

Sea level rise is also one of the typical phenomena of climate change in Vietnam. Data from the national station Hon Dau recorded that within 50 years, the sea level rose about 20cm. The sea level observed at the hydrographic stations reached 2.45mm/year and 3.34mm/year respectively in the periods 1960-2014 and 1993-2014. Satellite data shows that sea level has increased by 3.5 mm/year (± 0.7mm) in 2014 compared to 1993.

2. Causes of climate change

The main cause of Earth's climate change is due to an increase in activities that generate greenhouse gas emissions, over-exploitation of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gasses such as biomass, forests, marine, coastal and other terrestrial ecosystems. As greenhouse gasses cover the Earth, they trap the sun's heat. This phenomenon will lead to global warming and climate change. The world is warming at a faster rate than at any time in history.

A few reasons can include:

a. The impact of nature

Small variations in Earth's orbit cause changes in the seasonal distribution of solar energy across the Earth's surface and how it is distributed globally. Those are very small changes in average annual solar energy per unit area; but it can cause drastic variations in the distribution of seasons and geography.

Volcanic phenomena also cause climate change, volcanic eruptions release gasses and dust particles into the atmosphere. Eruptions large enough to affect climate occur more than an average number of times per century and cause cooling over several years. Past volcanic eruptions greatly influenced the climate, such as: The eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 caused no summer for a year. After the 1912 eruption of the Novarupta volcano, global temperature decreased by about 0.5 °C (0.9 °F).

Over millions of years, the movement of the plates rearranged the continents and oceans around the globe and shaped the surface topography. This can affect regional and global climate patterns as well as atmospheric-oceanic circulations.

b. Human impact

• - Humans destabilize the ecosystem

In the race of technological developments, humans have turned the adaptive ecosystem inherent to species on earth into a world where the flora and fauna ecosystems are gradually shrinking. Some species have completely disappeared, and some are endangered, and rivers have been dammed.

• - Humans emit too many greenhouse gasses into the environment
  

The process of generating electricity and heat from burning fossil fuels generates huge emissions globally. Residential buildings and commercial centers consume more than half of global electricity consumption. Due to the continued use of coal, oil and natural gas for heating and cooling, buildings emit a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The demand for heating and cooling increases, the number of people owning air conditioners increases, and electricity consumption for lighting purposes and the use of home appliances/connected devices also increases; all together contribute to the increase in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from buildings in recent years.

Manufacturing and industrial sectors generate emissions, largely from burning fossil fuels to generate energy to produce cement, iron, steel, electricity, plastics, clothing and other commodities. Mining, construction and other industrial processes also emit gasses. The machines used in the production process are usually powered by coal, oil or gas; meanwhile, some materials such as plastic are made from chemicals derived from fossil fuels. The manufacturing industry is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world.

In addition, most motorcycles, cars, trucks, boats and planes run on fossil fuels. Accordingly, transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide.

• - Humans cut down forests illegally

Deforestation to build a farm or pasture or for any other reason also creates emissions because when trees are cut down, they release carbon stored in them. Every year, about 12 million hectares of forest are destroyed. Since trees absorb carbon dioxide, cutting them down also limits nature's ability to reduce emissions in the atmosphere. Deforestation, along with agriculture and other land-use activities, is responsible for about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Impact of climate change

• - Impact on the natural environment

+ The changing of temperature

As greenhouse gas concentrations increase, so does the global surface temperature. The past decade 2011-2020 was recorded as the hottest in history. Since the 1980s, the temperature of the following decade has been consistently higher than that of the previous decade. Nearly all areas of the mainland recorded more hot days and heat waves. The risk of wildfires is higher and spreads much faster as the climate warms. Temperatures at the poles have increased by at least twice the world average.

In Vietnam, according to daily data collected from 23 coastal meteorological stations of Vietnam during the period from 1960 to 2011, in 52 years, the average annual temperature in coastal areas of Vietnam has increased significantly. High increases of 0.24℃ and 0.28℃ per decade were found at Vung Tau and Ca Mau stations, located in the South Coast, respectively. Most stations in North Central showed an increase of 0.15 to 0.19 ℃ per decade.

Furthermore, the maximum temperature variation in Vietnam ranges from −3°C to 3°C. The variation of the minimum temperature mainly ranges from -5°C to 5°C.

Both maximum and minimum temperatures tend to increase, where minimum temperature increases faster than maximum temperature, reflecting the warming trend of global climate.

+ Rainfall increases, forming big storms

Due to rising temperatures, more water evaporates, making extreme rain and flooding worse, leading to more big storms. Sea level warming also affects the frequency and size of tropical cyclones. Tornadoes and hurricanes are all enhanced by hot water on the ocean's surface. Such storms can destroy homes and residential areas, causing loss of life as well as great economic loss.

Statistics on rainfall over Vietnam in the period from 1961 to 2008 show a significant increasing trend in the South Central Coast while a decreasing trend in the North Coast (from about 17N and above). Another indicator is the annual maximum one-day rainfall (RX1day). Between 1961 and 2008, there was an increasing trend of 14% per decade for RX1day, meaning that the extreme values ​​of precipitation were increasing. Over the past 40 years, the number of storms in Vietnam has decreased, but the intensity has increased and the extent of damage is expanding. In 2007-2008, floods in the central provinces exceeded 48 years; Northern Vietnam suffered an unprecedented cold spell, lasting 38 days, causing US$30 million in damage to crops and livestock.

+ Sea level rise

An alarming consequence is sea level rise and sea level erosion, with shoreline retreat, shoreline erosion, saltwater intrusion associated with them. In addition, scholars also warn that other hydrological problems will emerge, such as flooding, estuary evolution, sedimentation. The frequency of tropical cyclones, storm surges, tsunamis and other natural disasters will also increase to varying degrees.

Based on data collected from monitoring stations, the average sea level rise along the coastal area of ​​Vietnam was about 2.8 mm/year during 1993–2008. According to these simulations, 37% of the total area of ​​the Mekong Delta could be flooded to a depth of more than 1 m under the 0.5 m sea level rise scenario.

The Southern Institute of Water Resource Research (SIWRR) said the trend of saltwater intrusion is increasing. A large part of the Mekong Delta is seasonally affected by saline intrusion during the dry season, especially during the months of March and April, when river flows are minimal. The flow regime of the Mekong River has changed significantly, with lower water flows at the beginning of the dry season, leading to saltwater intrusion starting earlier than usual.

• - Impact on people

+ Health

Climate impacts have been damaging to human health, from problems like air pollution, disease, extreme weather events, forced relocation, stress to mental health and the increase in hunger, to undernutrition in areas where people can't grow crops or find the food they need. Each year, environmental factors take the lives of about 13 million people. Changes in weather are increasing disease outbreaks and extreme weather events, leading to a growing death toll and leaving the health system unable to keep up.

+ Food shortage

Climate change as well as the increase of extreme weather events is one of the reasons for increasing hunger as well as malnutrition. Fisheries, crops and livestock may be destroyed or productivity will be reduced. As the acidity of seawater rises, the seafood that feeds billions of people is threatened. The change of snow cover in many Arctic regions has disrupted food sources from livestock, hunting and fishing activities. Warming can reduce water availability and graze pastures, reduce crop yields and affect livestock.

+ Economy

The International Monetary Fund estimates that Vietnam's economic growth could decline by 10% in 2021 due to climate change. Due to the concentration of the country's population and economic assets in vulnerable areas, the negative impact on industrial production and economic growth could be unimaginable. A 1-meter rise in sea level will inundate 11% of the population and 7% of agricultural land.

+ The infrastructure

Current and future domestic infrastructure is affected. The physical assets of road infrastructure, for example, will be vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Based on existing road inventory and provincial allocations, the development of infrastructure  would inundate, and thereby destroy, 19,000 km of roads in Vietnam, or 12% of existing sugar reserves. The rebuilding of these damaged roads will cost about $2.1 billion.

4. How to mitigate climate change?

Our lifestyle has a profound impact on our planet. Our choices matter. About two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions relate to individual households. The energy, food and transportation sectors contribute about 20% of emissions from lifestyle. From the energy we use, the food we eat and the way we move can all make a difference.

Join MODOHO in starting the following actions to reduce climate impacts.

• - Save energy at home

Much of the electricity and heat we use is produced from coal, oil and gas. Use less energy by lowering heating and cooling temperatures, switching to LED bulbs and energy-saving electrical appliances, etc.

• - Choose eco-friendly products

Everything we spend money on affects the planet. You have the right to choose the goods and services you support. To reduce your environmental impact, buy local and seasonal foods, and choose products from companies that use resources responsibly, and are committed to cutting emissions and waste.

At the same time, use recyclable products instead of using plastic and nylon such as paper bags, cloth bags, paper straws, stainless steel straws, glass cups, etc., and limit the use of disposable products.

• - Reduce food waste

When you throw away food, you're also wasting resources and energy that were used to grow, produce, pack, and transport that food. And as food rots in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. So use what you buy and compost any leftovers.

• - Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle

The electronics, clothing and other items we buy cause carbon emissions at every point in the production process, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and shipping the goods to market. To save the environment, buy less, buy secondhand, repair what you can and recycle.

• - Switch to electric car

If you are going to buy a car, consider buying an electric car, there are more and more cheaper models on the market. Even if they still run on electricity produced from fossil fuels, electric cars still help reduce air pollution and emit significantly less greenhouse gasses than gas- or diesel-powered vehicles. 

• - Propagating and participating in environmental protection propaganda activities.

Speak up and call on others to join the action. It's one of the fastest and most effective ways to make a difference. Talk to your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and loved ones. Let business owners know you support bold changes. Calling on local and world leaders to act now.

In conclusion, Vietnam confronts additional difficulties in addressing climate change in addition to restrictions on its ability to execute measures due to finances, technology, and human capability. There is a lack of consensus on the threats and solutions to climate change, as well as a lack of knowledge about it. Despite the existence of pertinent laws and regulations, local governments continue to respond to CC slowly and there is a lack of cooperation between central agencies and locals as well as across different sectors.

Furthermore, there is a severe lack of data on environmental sustainability, a crucial component of the sustainable development goals (SDG). Only 14 of the 67 global SDG indicators relating to environmental sustainability are accessible in Vietnam's national data system, which accounts for 20.8% of the total.