Vietnam Fights Rising Sea Levels, Protects Economic Growth

VOA News Vietnam Fights Rising Sea Levels, Protects Economic Growth

Farmers try to adjust to the effects of climate change

Vietnam is one of the world's fastest growing economies. But the country is also experiencing the effects of climate change. Scientists say parts of the country would be inundated within 40 years because of rising sea levels. The community in Ca Mau province grapples with the threat to its environment and livelihood.

Vietnam's economy grew by 8.5 percent in 2007 and is expected to expand by 6.5 percent this year, despite the global slowdown

The country's young population, a key factor in its economic rise, is visible in Ca Mau, the southernmost province.

This coastal region sits mostly less than a meter above the sea, and many people depend on shrimp breeding and rice growing. And they are learning just how bad the damage from coastal erosion and rising ocean waters can be.

They used to live where those poles are some years ago, says this resident.

"Every year it erodes little by little," Vhan Thn Thanh said. He is deputy director of Ca Mau's Natural Resources and Environment Department. "And the erosion here happened four years ago. Until now, the erosion is about 40 or 50 meters," he added.

"The problem along the coasts was coastal erosion and loss of coastal land, shorelines. That to some degree can be attributed to sea level rise," Dr. Anond Snidvongs said.