Reducing consequences of climate change by oceans

Update: 09/06/2009
A seminar on "Oceans with climate change and ecology security" was held on June 6 in Ha Noi on the occasion of the World Oceans Day (June 8). Associate Professor, Dr. Chu Hoi - Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Administration of Sea and Islands called for enhancement of studying and taking oceans as a resolution to minimise the consequences of global climate change.

Hoi also recommended priorities in seas and oceans policies at international level and in developing countries. We have been spending most of our time talking about climate change and its impacts on oceans, islands and shore areas instead of thinking about change of oceans and its effects on our biosphere and living environment. Oceans and biosphere, meanwhile, are two natural systems which determine the raining and vaporising cycle of our globe, he said.

This was also one of the messages raised out by Vietnamese experts at the World Oceans Conference (WOC 2009) held in Indonesia on May 11. According to Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Van Duc, the substantial target of the WOC 2009 was to discuss and reach a consensus on the role of oceans towards climate change and to call for international attention to the issue. The WOC 2009, therefore, ratified the Manado Joint Declaration on Oceans. Accordingly, state participants pledged to protect and preserve marine and seashore ecological systems; to reinforce the adaptation of ecological systems and local communities at seashores to climate change and sea-level rising.

The Vietnamese Government has agreed to annual celebration of responsive activities on the occasion of the World Oceans Day.

 

Source: Vietnamplus (VNA)

Edited and translated by TP (TITC)