US Science Envoy Dr Margaret Leinen has raised concerns about plastic waste as Vietnam is among top five countries that generate most plastic waste in the ocean.

US Science Envoy Dr Margaret Leinen speaks at the conference

The problem was discussed at a conference about ocean and pollution held recently by the US Embassy in Hanoi. Leinen emphasised the importance of the ocean for humanity and raised concerns about rising water levels and temperature.

Vietnam has a 3,260km coast, and 28 provinces and 15 economic zones are located in the coastal areas. But the coastal environment is very vulnerable.

Statistics from the United Nations show that as of 2017, marine protected areas only accounted for 6% of the ocean. It is hoped that protected areas will be expanded to 10% of the ocean in 2020 and 30% in 2030.

Meanwhile, a study conducted by Georgia University in 2015 shows that Vietnam was among the five worst countries in the world for generating plastic waste in the ocean. Vietnam dumps about 1.8 million tonnes of plastic waste annually in the sea. In 2015 alone, 14 million tonnes of waste was dumped into Vietnamese coastal waters, accounting for 60% of the country’s waste.

The plastic waste takes from decades to centuries to decompose. After a while, the plastic waste breaks down and releases microplastics which are invisible to the human but harmful to the environment.

Many organisations have called for both individuals and communities for action and the implementation of 3R and 5R concepts which stand for reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and refuse. 

According to Leinen, non-governmental organisations would be an important force to help clean the ocean. The World Wildlife Fund in Vietnam representative Nguyen Thi Dieu Thuy said they would start implementing programmes to raise public awareness about the environment on Phu Quoc this May. They will work with the locals, the authorities and firms for most effective results.

Dtinews