Solutions to climate change, dioxin issues invented: researchers

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They are the results of a science and technology programme that serves the national target programme on climate change response, and another on researching measures to address the consequences of AO/dioxin used by the US during the Vietnam War.

The two programmes, carried out from 2011 to 2015, were reviewed at a meeting in Hanoi on May 20.

Addressing the event, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said the climate-related programme (KHCN-BDKH/11-15) has helped forecast the impacts of the global phenomenon and worked out climate change mitigation, adaptation and response measures.

Meanwhile, the other programme (KHCN-33/11-15) has provided more information about the influence of AO/dioxin on human health, while successfully researching and applying some detoxification methods, he noted.

Dr Nguyen Thai Lai, who leads KHCN-BDKH/11-15, reported that researchers in the programme devised technologies, methods and software for studying climate fluctuations and climate change. They drafted climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions and integrated them in socio-economic development plans. A climate change database, relevant books and training manuals were also published.

He added that many response solutions have been put into practice and transferred to a number of localities.

Assoc. Prof. Le Ke Son said the KHCN-33/11-15 programme that he is in charge of, clarified the differences between dioxin from AO and from other sources. It made initial assessments of dioxin contamination in some foods and the concentration of dioxin in Vietnamese people living in different areas.

It evaluated environmental losses caused by AO/dioxin, reviewed policies designed for AO/dioxin victims and suggested ways to better those supports. It comprehensively and objectively assessed legal issues pertaining to the fight for compensation from the US Government and US AO/dioxin producers for the victims.

The programme also gave intensive training in dioxin and toxic chemicals to young scientists and expanded international cooperation in the field, Son said.