VietNamNet Bridge - Miss Grand Slam Asia 2009 and Goodwill Ambassador Tran Thi Huong Giang launched a global campaign to fight climate change in HCM City on August 11.
Huong Giang, who is the goodwill ambassador of the campaign, says: “I want to become part of Campaign 350.org as it relates to the existence of myself and everyone around me”.

She says when she took part in the campaign in 2010, she kept a vegetarian diet and always put the air-conditioner at home at 26 degrees Celsius. This year, one of the suggestions highlighted by the campaign is that home and building owners should paint their property white to reflect the sun heat and save air-conditioning energy.

Initiated in 2007 by American writer Bill Mckibben, Campaign 350.org is operating in 188 countries.

The Campaign welcome all initiatives and plans that can help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 392 parts per million to below 350.

Last year, on the campaign's Global Day of Action, more than 7,000 actions to cut down emission were conducted in the 188 countries, including Vietnam.

This year, with the theme “Moving Planet,” the campaign calls on people to use bicycles, reduce the use of fossil energy and recycle waste.

As part of the campaign, a climate camp will be held in the Can Gio ecological area, HCM City, to train people about climate change and help affected residential areas.

Campaigners will mobilize thousands of people to ride bicycles or go on foot on the campaign’s global day of action, September 24.

On the Global Action Day, thousands of Vietnamese will be called for going to school or office by bicycle or foot.
The white roof-green wall program calls for families and offices to paint their roofs with white paint and grow climbing plants to reduce temperature in their houses and offices in order to save energy.

The major event will take place in HCM City and Hanoi, named “Moving art festival for climate.” Special artworks on fighting climate change will be displayed, including a big painting made by used straws to encourage waste recycling.

A breakdance competition is also launched, with the theme “Moving Planet”. The best items will be performed at the “Moving Art Festival for Climate” on September 24 in HCM City and Hanoi.

“350.org is not the first global campaign on climate change, but it is the first that is completely implemented by the community and volunteers,” said Hoang Thi Minh Hong, national coordinator of the campaign in Vietnam.

Further information about Campaign 350.org is available at www.350.org.vn and www.facebook.com/vietnam350.

PV