Science and technology: The “key” to opening the door to responding to climate change

While climate change is becoming the most serious global challenge of the 21st century, science and technology (S&T) is considered the “key” to better understanding, more accurate forecasting and more effective action. For Vietnam, one of the countries most severely affected by climate change, promoting research and application of S&T is the inevitable path to ensure sustainable development, protect resources and people's lives.

Climate change (CC) is no longer a distant concept but a reality that is happening every day, every hour. According to scientists , CC is a change in climate caused mainly by human impact that changes the components of the Earth's atmosphere, combined with natural fluctuations, leading to changes in the entire climate system, from the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere to lithosphere.

Industrial activities that emit CO₂, deforestation, overuse of water resources and other toxic gases are causing the atmosphere to become unbalanced, causing the Earth to heat up rapidly. In addition, objective factors such as fluctuations in solar activity, changes in the Earth's orbit or the movement of continents also contribute to making the climate more extreme.

In Vietnam, the manifestations of climate change are becoming increasingly evident and severe. Phenomena such as prolonged heat waves, extreme heavy rains, stronger storms and deeper saltwater intrusion are negatively impacting all aspects of economic and social life.

The consequences of climate change are not only environmental damage but also threaten the livelihoods of millions of people. The most vulnerable sectors are agriculture , fisheries, and tourism; the most severely affected are people in coastal and mountainous areas, especially the poor, women, and children. Surface and groundwater resources are increasingly declining; fossil energy resources are depleted; natural disasters are unpredictable, posing an urgent need for more sustainable and effective adaptation solutions.

In this challenging picture, science and technology are asserting their key role in helping Vietnam proactively adapt to climate change. From forecasting and early warning of natural disasters to developing smart agriculture, renewable energy, biotechnology or resource management using artificial intelligence, science and technology have been opening up new directions for sustainable development.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, in recent times, Vietnam has built a climate monitoring system, weather forecasting models, disaster risk warning maps and a greenhouse gas emission measurement system suitable to national conditions. In agriculture, research institutes have successfully bred many drought- and salt-resistant crop varieties; developed water-saving farming technology and smart agriculture based on sensors and weather data.

The early warning system for thunderstorms and floods is one of the systems that integrates many types of data from monitoring systems and is fully automatic.

In the energy sector, green technologies such as wind power, solar power, and biomass power are being widely applied, contributing to reducing emissions and creating clean energy sources. According to the "National Strategy on Green Growth", by 2050, Vietnam aims to achieve zero net emissions and science and technology is the foundation to realize that commitment.

Not only stopping at traditional fields, Vietnam also promotes the application of digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), big data and Internet of Things (IoT) in forecasting, monitoring and managing natural resources. Saltwater intrusion forecasting systems in the Mekong Delta, flow simulation technology and early flood warning in the Central region have helped minimize damage, protect production and people's lives.

Radar plays an important role in flood warning.

To effectively adapt to climate change, the development of green economic models, circular economy, and low-carbon economy is being promoted. Many Vietnamese enterprises have proactively invested in energy-saving technology, waste recycling, and emission reduction in production. Along with that, a network of innovative start-ups in the field of "climate tech" is being formed, creating a new ecosystem that contributes to promoting green growth.

The Vietnamese Government has also issued many important strategies and policies such as the National Strategy on Climate Change to 2050, the Green Growth Strategy 2021 - 2030, and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Development to 2030, to mobilize the combined strength of Science and Technology in responding to climate change.

According to experts, the key point is to increase investment in scientific research, expand international cooperation and promote green technology transfer. Putting science and technology at the heart of development policies will not only help Vietnam proactively address climate risks but also create momentum for sustainable industrialization and modernization.

For this “key” to truly open the door to a green future, Vietnam needs to continue to invest more heavily in science and technology, spread knowledge to the community, and promote the participation of businesses and people in green transformation. When science is combined with will, when technology is linked to action, we can completely turn climate challenges into development opportunities, towards a sustainable, green and hopeful Vietnam.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-chia-khoa-mo-canh-cua-ung-pho-voi-bien-doi-khi-hau-197251104103806323.htm