Climate change is happening

According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the definition of climate change is: a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere. Importantly, this is in addition to natural variations in the earth’s climate that have been observed over comparable time periods.

Today there is strong evidence that the earth’s climate is indeed changing in dramatic ways. The evidence comes from direct measurements of rising surface air temperatures and subsurface ocean temperatures and from phenomena such as increases in average global sea levels, retreating glaciers, and changes in many physical and biological systems, for example increased drought, flooding and other natural disasters.[i]

These changes are indeed the result of human activities. Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, tropospheric ozone, and nitrous oxide, have been rising exponentially since pre-industrial times. Carbon dioxide levels have increased from 280 ppm (parts per million) in 1750 to over 375 ppm today – higher than any previous levels that can be reliably measured (i.e. in the last 420,000 years). Climate change is happening now.

Climate change matters for Viet Nam in the long-run

According to a study by the Viet Nam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment, Viet Nam is already suffering from the effects of climate change, with annual average temperature increase of around 0.1 degrees Celsius (°C) per decade and a rise in sea level of 2.5-3 cm over the past decade. [ii]  

Although these figures may seem very small, the reality is that they are highly significant. For example, it is predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that a global increase in temperature by just 2°C will have huge consequences, including increased human health problems, risk of hunger and natural disasters.[iii]

The study by the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment indicates that heavy rainfall hits the Viet Nam more frequently in some areas, causing severe floods, while rainfall has decreased in almost all areas in the country, creating drought conditions. In addition, storms occur more frequently in the central and southern regions.

On the basis of global climate change and the losses caused by natural disasters in Viet Nam, international experts warned that as many as 22 million Vietnamese people, especially those living in the central and southern regions, could be displaced if the sea level rises by an additional 1m.

Immediate effects of pollution

Along with the long-term consequences of climate change in Viet Nam and for all life on earth, the offending pollutants also create more immediate human health problems, particularly in urban centers. Viet Nam’s cities are, of course, no exception.

The 2007 National State of Environment Report of Viet Nam indicates that air pollution is the major cause of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis and allergies. Air pollution also caused an increase in health check-up costs, a reduction in labor productivity, hurt tourism activities and led to climate change, according to the report. The rate of respiratory patients living near industrial zones was much higher than in rural areas.[iv]

Transportation contributes to air pollution and climate change

So what are these human activities that create climate change and air pollution around the world in general and in Viet Nam’s cities in particular?

A 2008 report by the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research in Oslo found that 85% of greenhouse gasses come from industry, buildings and agriculture.  The remaining 15% of the man-made carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere comes from cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, and ships. Within the transport sector, road transportation (cars, buses and trucks) contribute the most greenhouse gases, which include CO2, ozone, methane, and others.[v]

Again, according to the 2007 National State of Environment Report of Viet Nam, traffic activities caused the largest proportion of air pollution in urban areas in Vietnam, which amounted to 70 per cent.[vi]

The rapid increase in means of transportation, poor quality of vehicles and fuel, and poor infrastructure have led to traffic activities putting huge pressure on urban air quality in the country.

The report shows that the number of automobiles and motorbikes in Vietnam annually increases by 15 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, with the majority of vehicles being used in urban areas. In Hanoi, there were over 1.8 million registered motorbikes by June 2007, and the figure is estimated to surpass 2.7 million by 2010.

Motorbikes, which account for more than 87 per cent of transportation circulating within Hanoi, release harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide, mono-nitrogen oxides and dust.

What to do… Green Transport!

So with all this information in mind – climate change is happening, it has long- and short-term effects for Viet Nam including air pollution, and transportation pollution is a major contributor to all of these problems – what can one individual living in Ha Noi, Viet Nam do the help make their city, country and world a more healthy place for themselves and for all?

One way you can be proactive and help spread awareness about climate change and pollution in Ha Noi is to participate in Green Transport Day! The event is organized by Action for the City, a local Vietnamese-run NGO. Action for the City defines green transport as:

A category of sustainable transport which limits the release of CO2 and other air toxics. Modes of transport using human power, animal power and renewable energy are considered green transport because they tend not to release a large quantity of CO2. Green transport includes walking, cycling, using other types of human-powered transport, and green vehicles such as solar-powered or wind-powered vehicles. Public transport such as traditional diesel buses use less fuel per passenger than private vehicles so it is also considered green transport. Of course public buses could be greener by using alternative energy sources, such as solar power.[vii]

Green Transport Day encourages individuals to make a pledge for one day to go by foot, bicycle or bus rather than their usual mode of less environmentally-friendly transport. By making this commitment, they aim to raise awareness of the pollution caused by motorbikes and cars and to build a social movement for greener traffic in Hanoi!