Environment and natural resources
Climate change
Global hydropower boom will add to climate change
From the Amazon Basin to boreal forests, and from the Mekong to the Himalayan foothills, rivers worldwide are being targeted for major new dams in a global hydropower boom that also aims to supply drinking water to exploding human populations and to facilitate navigation on ...
The new normal: facing climate change
Last year’s drought caused a nationwide crisis, with harvests ruined, forest fires raging and many rural families struggling to feed themselves. As experts take stock of the impact, news of another potential El Niño raises a question: Is Cambodia prepared for the next drought? For ...
Sea breaches Bạc Liêu Province dykes in 2 places
Two sea dykes in the Mekong Delta (Cửu Long) province of Bạc Liêu were badly damaged on Sunday and Monday by high tides, huge waves and strong winds, threatening the lives and properties of local residents. In Bạc Liêu city, huge waves and powerful winds ...
Northern provinces assess efforts to control locust outbreak
Five northern provinces recently reported on their efforts to prevent and control locust outbreaks in the 2015-16 fiscal year, and announced plans to prevent a further invasion this year. The five provinces are Huaphan, Luang Prabang, Xieng Khuang, Oudomxay and Phongsaly. More than 4,000 hectares ...
ASEAN energy cooperation: the only way to prevent ‘lights out’ in the region
The countries comprising Southeast Asia have witnessed steady economic growth and improving living standards since the Asian Financial Crisis. Having weathered the global fiscal and financial crisis better than most other parts of the world, Southeast Asia has become the third-fastest growing region in the ...
New compensation regulations
Aquaculture farmers directly affected by natural disasters and epidemics will receive compensation totalling as much as US$2,600 per hectare, according to Decree No 2 issued by the Government last week. The decree, to take effect from February 25, will regulate compensation forms and levels to help farmers ...
Experts call for water storage for Mekong Delta
Environmentalists have underscored the importance of finding ways to store and share water resources in the Mekong Delta as climate change is inflicting huge damage on the arable delta. At a seminar in Can Tho City on January 10, they agreed this was a measure to ...
Vietnam facing water security challenges
Vietnam’s demand for water is skyrocketing while water resources are being depleted, certain river basins are being overexploited and competition for water resources is soaring. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said in a report that the basins of some rivers like Ma, Huong and ...
South put on evacuation alert
The Interior Ministry has instructed governors of the southern provinces to prepare evacuation plans as the region is being battered by torrential rain. Interior permanent secretary Grisada Boonrach said on January 2 the ministry has ordered the plans be devised as the Thai Meteorological Department has ...
Int'l community supports Vietnam’s climate change response
Vietnam is one of the countries worst hit by climate change. In 2016, the national climate change strategy has received strong support from the international community. The Global Climate Index indicates that Vietnam ranks 5th among countries most affected by natural disasters, which kill hundreds of ...