Chuyên mục: Môi trường – Environment

Vice premier prefers Vietnam to better cope with natural disasters

~ Trần Đình Hoành ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Tuoi Tre News

Updated : 09/15/2015 16:33 GMT + 7

Boats are anchored on the Han River in the central city of Da Nang during the landfall of tropical storm Vam Co in central Vietnam on September 14, 2015.
Competent agencies should review their precautionary work to better respond to natural disasters, which have killed 98 people, and caused damage totaling nearly US$243 million in Vietnam in the past eight months, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has said.

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Google lays bare overlooked deforestation ‘hotspots’

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Last updated on 2 September 2015, 1:25 pm

Search giant and researchers map emerging clusters of tropical forest loss in Southeast Asia, South America and Africa

Deforestation in Bhutan. Forests are vital stocks of carbon and water resources (Flickr/ World Bank)

By Alex Pashley

Forests are being cut down at a rapid clip in previously spared territories, data from the University of Maryland and Google reveals.

RCCT – New hotspots are appearing in Southeast Asia’s Mekong Basin, South America’s Gran Chaco region and Madagascar, high-resolution satellite mapping released by Global Forest Watch shows.

The world lost more than 18 million hectares of forest in 2014, an area twice the size of Portugal.

Over 2012-14, the three-year average was the worst since records began in 2001, in a troubling trend as rates reverse after years of decline.

An interactive map shows advances in tree cover loss and gain worldwide between 2001-2014 (Credit: Global Forest Watch)

Carbon-rich forests hacked down for cash crops, such as beef, soy and palm oil, together with weak governance, are the main drivers of tree cover loss, said Nigel Sizer at the World Resources Institute. Tiếp tục đọc “Google lays bare overlooked deforestation ‘hotspots’” →

Large-scale illegal trade in hundreds of wild-collected ornamental plants in Southeast Asia

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Date:September 14, 2015

Source:National University of Singapore

Sciencedaily – Southeast Asia is a widely recognised centre of illegal wildlife trade — both as the source region for species ranging from seahorses to tigers, and as a global consumer of ivory carvings, wild pets, and traditional Chinese medicinal products.

While there are mounting efforts to tackle illegal wildlife trade, including within Singapore to reduce demand for wildlife products, the illegal trade in some species still remains undocumented.

Associate Professor Edward L. Webb, from the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and NUS PhD graduate Dr Jacob Phelps, have uncovered a previously little recognised Southeast Asian wildlife trade — the illegal sale of wild-collected ornamental plants, especially orchids.

Their findings were recently published in the journal Biological Conservation in June 2015.

Uncovering the “invisible” orchid trade

The researchers conducted extensive surveys of wildlife markets across Thailand, including border markets with Laos and Myanmar, and identified more than 400 species of ornamental plants in illegal trade — species widely prized by plant enthusiasts for their beauty, fragrance and/or rarity. Over 80% of these plants traded at the markets are wild orchids. Some of these were even listed in published literature as threatened. Tiếp tục đọc “Large-scale illegal trade in hundreds of wild-collected ornamental plants in Southeast Asia” →

Những nông dân bị “bắt” làm giám đốc

~ Phạm Thu Hương ~ 1 bình luận

(LĐ) – Sau một đêm thức trắng, ông Trần Ngọc Huỳnh (Hai Huỳnh) ở ấp 12, xã Khánh Thuận, huyện U Minh (tỉnh Cà Mau) quyết định mình phải làm… giám đốc bằng cách thành lập công ty.

Ông thanh minh: “Không phải kinh doanh làm giàu, cũng không phải để dựt le với bà con, tui làm giám đốc chỉ với mục đích duy nhất là để được thuê lại chính đất rừng của mình thay vì phải hợp tác với Cty TNHH MTV U Minh Hạ và bị họ phát canh thu tô suốt 15 năm nay…”.

Những nông dân bị “bắt” làm giám đốcNgười trồng tràm theo hình thức LDLK ở rừng U Minh Hạ đang bị “phát canh thu tô”. Ảnh: H.V.M Tiếp tục đọc “Những nông dân bị “bắt” làm giám đốc” →

Ministry to issue incinerator criteria

~ Trần Đình Hoành ~ Bình luận về bài viết này
Updated  September, 07 2015 08:52:00
 VNS
A small-scale incinerator in Central Ha Tinh Province. he Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will issue a set of criteria for small-scale incinerators burning daily household waste in October. — Photo tinmoitruong.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will issue a set of criteria for small-scale incinerators burning daily household waste in October, an official said.

Hoang Duong Tung, deputy head of the ministry’s Viet Nam Environment Administration, made the announcement at the ministry’s monthly press conference. Under the criteria, an incinerator could be run if the fumes it discharged were treated and safe for the environment. Tiếp tục đọc “Ministry to issue incinerator criteria” →

Environment experts discuss dam dangers

~ Trần Đình Hoành ~ Bình luận về bài viết này
Updated  September, 09 2015 09:05:00
Thirty-five experts from environmental organisations in Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam gathered yesterday to discuss water management and the effects of hydropower dams. — Illustrative photo thoidai.com.vn

DONG THAP (VNS) — Thirty-five experts from environmental organisations in Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam gathered yesterday to discuss water management and the effects of hydropower dams.

They participated in a one-day seminar held in Dong Thap Province in the Mekong Delta and discussed the impacts that dams built on rivers in the Indochina region have on local communities, including those along the Mekong River. Tiếp tục đọc “Environment experts discuss dam dangers” →

Loss from dead fish reaches US$241,000

~ Trần Đình Hoành ~ Bình luận về bài viết này
Updated  September, 10 2015 17:09:00

Fish breeding cages in Cha Va River. Total initial loss following a mass death of fish five days ago in the river has amounted to VND5.3 billion (US$241,000). — Photo dantri.com

BA RIA-VUNG TAU — A joint team of investigators from Long Son Commune People’s Committee and Agriculture Department reported the total initial loss following a mass death of fish five days ago in Cha Va River in  has amounted to VND5.3 billion (US$241,000). Tiếp tục đọc “Loss from dead fish reaches US$241,000” →

Eat in style – Know the origin: A joint mission to better Vietnam’s environment and consumers’ health

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

WWF – August 14th – 24th 2015, seafood certified as responsibly farmed in Vietnam will be officially available for the domestic market at many eateries. The certification denotes the seafood has met strict standards that ensure food safety and minimize environmental impact. This is part of Sustainable Seafood Week 2015, organized by WWF-Vietnam, to introduce the world’s newest trend in stylish dining: sustainability.

In support of responsible production and products, which have gained worldwide popularity and become a significant indicator of a modern, healthy and positive lifestyle, the Sustainable Seafood Week with the message “Eat in style – Know the origin”, is urging Vietnamese consumers to join the international call for products from responsible sources.

Participating restaurants in Sustainable Seafood Week 2015, serving responsibly produced seafood (certified by ASC eco-label)

During the 10 days, besides introducing Vietnam’s responsibly farmed seafood to the domestic market, the program will engage consumers in an array of exciting activities to raise awareness about sustainable seafood, through a display of informative artworks, a theme-inspired flash mob and exciting mini-games at Crescent Mall, District 7, Ho Chi Minh city. Consumers can visit www.cabenvung.vn to find the full list of restaurants participating in the program, and also pledge their support online to the demand for sustainable seafood in Vietnam. Tiếp tục đọc “Eat in style – Know the origin: A joint mission to better Vietnam’s environment and consumers’ health” →

Sustainable Fishing in Vietnam

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

WWF– Tram Chim National Park is one of the most important remaining expanses of wetlands in Vietnam. While most fishing in the park is forbidden, some locals exercise traditional rights to fish for food and a living. WWF works in Tram Chim to restore natural water flows, fisheries and wildlife.

Bac Ninh gets waste treatment plant

~ Trần Đình Hoành ~ Bình luận về bài viết này
Updated  September, 08 2015 08:40:00
 VNS
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and delegates visit the Tu Son Town waste water treatment plant which became operational on Sunday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thai Hung

BAC NINH (VNS) — The Tu Son Town wastewater treatment plant became operational on Sunday after its construction was completed in 18 months, six months ahead of schedule.

The plant is expected to help treat wastewater from the town’s inner area of about 1,890ha, comprising six wards – Dong Ngan, Dinh Bang, Dong Nguyen and Tan Hong, besides Trang Ha and Chau Khe — that are home to about 100,000 people. Tiếp tục đọc “Bac Ninh gets waste treatment plant” →

‘Báu vật’ ở quê lúa Nghệ An

~ Phạm Thu Hương ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

VE – Tại xã Lăng Thành (Yên Thành, Nghệ An) hiện có hơn 100 ha rừng lim cổ thụ được người dân xem như “báu vật”.

Là huyện nửa trung du miền núi, nửa đồng bằng, Yên Thành được biết đến là vựa lúa của Nghệ An. Trong 39 đơn vị hành chính của huyện, Lăng Thành là xã rất đặc biệt, được bao bọc bởi 106 ha rừng lim. Từ trung tâm xã đến rừng lim gần nhất chỉ một cây số, đó là Rú Chùa, xa hơn nữa là Hóc Nông, Đồng Bàu, Vệ Thạng…

rung-lim-1862-1441529719.jpg

Khu rừng lim tại xã Lăng Thành. Ảnh: Phan Ngọc.

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Bốn thử thách khi thực hiện dân chủ trong các vấn đề môi trường

~ Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Hợp ~ 1 bình luận

outdoor pollution
Ô nhiễm không khí ngoài trời gây ra cái chết của 3,7 triệu người ở độ tuổi dưới 60 trên toàn thế giới trong năm 2012. Ảnh: Leo Fung / Flickr.

Chỉ số Dân chủ về môi trường (Environmental Democracy Index – EDI) – đã được đưa ra hồi tháng 5 này – theo dõi các nước trong tiến trình ban hành luật quốc gia nhằm phát triển tính minh bạch, sự tham gia của công chúng và khả năng tiếp cận công lý của cộng đồng trong quá trình đưa quyết định về môi trường. Có bằng chứng cho thấy rằng các nhà làm luật quốc gia đang dần nhận ra tầm quan trọng của các quyền này. Lấy ví dụ, trong 102 điều luật về Quyền Thông tin trên thế giới, 42 điều luật đã được ban hành trong 10 năm qua. Tuy nhiên, có luật nghiêm chưa chắc đảm bảo rằng luật đó được tôn trọng trong thực tế. Tiếp tục đọc “Bốn thử thách khi thực hiện dân chủ trong các vấn đề môi trường” →

Ho Chi Minh City to spend $42mn on reservoirs to prevent flooding

~ Trần Đình Hoành ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

tuoi tre news

Updated : 09/06/2015 17:21 GMT + 7

A man is pictured pushing his motorbike on a heavily flooded street in Ho Chi Minh City on October 1, 2014.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have decided to spend VND950 billion (US$41.8 million) building three large-scale reservoirs in the most flood-prone areas of three districts.

With a total area of ​​100ha, the three proposed reservoirs are expected to accumulate tens of millions of cubic meters of water and resolve the flooding problem in District 4, Tan Binh District, and Thu Duc District. Tiếp tục đọc “Ho Chi Minh City to spend $42mn on reservoirs to prevent flooding” →

Better estimates of worldwide mercury pollution

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

New findings show Asia produces twice as much mercury emissions as previously thought
August 12, 2015
Jennifer Chu, MIT News

MIT – Once mercury is emitted into the atmosphere from the smokestacks of power plants, the pollutant has a complicated trajectory; even after it settles onto land and sinks into oceans, mercury can be re-emitted back into the atmosphere repeatedly. This so-called “grasshopper effect” keeps the highly toxic substance circulating as “legacy emissions” that, combined with new smokestack emissions, can extend the environmental effects of mercury for decades.

Now an international team led by MIT researchers has conducted a new analysis that provides more accurate estimates of sources of mercury emissions around the world. The analysis pairs measured air concentrations of mercury with a global simulation to calculate the fraction of mercury that is either re-emitted or that originates from power plants and other anthropogenic activities. The result of this work, researchers say, could improve estimates of mercury pollution, and help refine pollution-control strategies around the world.

The new analysis shows that Asia now releases a surprisingly large amount of anthropogenic mercury. While its increased burning of coal was known to exacerbate mercury emissions and air pollution, the MIT team estimates that Asia produces more than double the mercury emissions previously estimated. Tiếp tục đọc “Better estimates of worldwide mercury pollution” →

More forests wiped out by farmers in central Highlands

~ Trần Đình Hoành ~ Bình luận về bài viết này
Updated  September, 07 2015 08:31:27
Dak NONG (VNS) — Deforestation is on the rise in the Central Highland province of Dak Nong’s Dak Song District.

More than 30 cases have been detected and tackled since the rainy season started in May, the local forest management authority said.

The 40-year-old protective pine forest along Highway 14 covers a total area of 430ha. So far more than 50 per cent of the forest has been lost due to severe deforestation, which is increasing at an alarming rate, an official said. Tiếp tục đọc “More forests wiped out by farmers in central Highlands” →