Sharing experiences implementing REDD

A seminar is being held in Da Lat City from March 21-23 to share experiences and technical initiatives in implementing the “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)” programme.

The seminar attracted nearly 100 delegates from many countries around the world and many citizens participating in the REDD programme in Vietnam. They shared information and experiences implementing the programme in Vietnam as well as in other regions in the world. They also discussed related issues, such as the role and importance of REDD for coping with global climate change, how citizens will benefit when they join the programme, and managing REDD in localities.

The initiatives proposed by delegates from Vietnam, the US, Norway, Indonesia and Cambodia were highly praised at the seminar because they are important for every country, locality and citizen that wants to achieve the best results from the REDD programme.

Vietnam can be a global pioneer in minimizing the impact of climate change through the field of forestry community. The REDD programme has been in effect in Vietnam for nearly one year but so far Lam Dong is the only province to implement it.

Climate excesses cause difficulties for forecasters

In recent years, the weather in Viet Nam has become hotter during summer and colder during winter.

This has led the Hydrometeorological Forecast Centre to warn of unusual weather patterns as the changes were quicker and more complicated than in the past.

An official from the centre has asked relevant agencies to regularly adjust plans to cope with these developments.

The official said the unusual changes had made weather forecasting more difficult.

Deputy director of the centre, Le Thanh Hai, said the appearance of snow in hills in northern Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Cao Bang Provinces last week, for example, was outside meteorological predictions.

"The cold spell had been forecast," he said, "but we were completely surprised when the temperature dropped to zero degrees Celsius and snow fell."

Snowfalls normally occurred from December to February, he said. This was the first time snow appeared in March.

Hai stressed that rising sea levels and hotter weather in the next 20 to 50 years were not the only predicted effects of climate change.

He said people should also be aware that weather patterns had become more severe.

"The planning of socio-economic development and residential areas should be made in harmony with these climate changes," Hai added.

"People should prepare to cope with any changes of climate," he said.

Hai also warned the public to be aware of the ongoing effects of the La Nina phenomenon which could bring extra rain, whirlwinds and floods.

A cold spell is forecast to hit the northern and north-central region from today with temperatures dropping to between 12 and14 degrees Celsius. Heavy rain is expected in some areas. Coastal provinces have been told to look out for rough seas.

All solid medical waste to be treated

The Ministry of Construction has proposed to collect and sort all hazardous medical solid waste by 2015 and to have 70 per cent of it treated.

The balance would be held for treatment later.

From 2025 all solid medical waste would be treated as it was collected.

In the first phase of its plan, the ministry proposed to build capacity in management and treatment to environmental criteria.

The project would cost VND122.1 billion (US$6 million).

The ministry estimated 50 tonnes a day of hazardous medical waste solid would be discharged nation-wide by 2015 at medical centres and hospitals.

It was expected to reach 90 tonnes by 2025.

Oil boat explosion brought under control

More than 10,000 litres of oil burned after an oil-carrying boat exploded on a stretch of the Bac Lieu-Ca Mau River in southern Bac Lieu City yesterday.

About 100 firemen used five fire-engines to bring the blaze under control.

The hot flames, fanned by strong winds, threatened the safety of many vessels and people living around the river. but no loss of life was reported.

Cause of the fire remains unknown.

Overloaded 40-tonne lorry collapses bridge

Song Ui Bridge in Xuan Loc District in southern Dong Nai Province suddenly collapsed as an overloaded lorry carrying 40 tonnes of loads was crossing last Saturday.

The bridge, built in 2009, was designed for trucks with loads less than 10 tonnes.

The lorry's owner promised to repair the bridge.

VNN/VOV/VNS