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| Trees are planted in Ta Kou Nature Reserve (Photo: Gaia) |
According to the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention, in the first six months of the year, natural disasters caused economic damage to Vietnam of up to 877 billion VND. Storm No. 3 (Yagi) and the storm circulation in September alone caused an initial estimated damage of about 81,500 billion VND, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Climate change combined with the La Nina effect is the cause behind the abnormality of the 2024 storm season. It is forecasted that in the future, natural disasters may develop even more abnormally, beyond our forecasts and prepared responses, continuing to cause heavy losses in human lives and property.
After the above natural disasters, forests also suffered a lot of damage because forests have partly protected people from natural disasters. In storm No. 3, 121,668 trees were broken (Hai Phong 6,059, Hanoi 24,807, Hung Yen 9,036, Hai Duong 40,000, Bac Ninh 31,860), and 1 million hectares of forest were damaged. At this time, forests and trees play an important role in blocking the wind, absorbing storm energy, and protecting people from the fury of nature.
Ms. Huyen Do, Founder & Director of Gaia Nature Conservation Center, said: “During storms, we can see more clearly the role and importance of trees. In the recent storm Yagi, trees in cities and forests have strongly played the role of blocking storm winds. The energy of the storm weakened a lot before it overflows into the city.”
“Therefore, planting forests is to strengthen the common home of humans and also to proactively respond to natural disasters and climate change. Gaia highly appreciates the efforts of all individuals and businesses who are working with us to plant and restore upstream forests, create natural disaster shields, and respond to climate change to create a safer future for people!” she added.
In September, in the face of the effects of storm Yagi, Gaia Nature Conservation Center actively implemented green programs calling on the community to join hands in forest restoration and regeneration. Typical examples include the program of natural regeneration of 40ha of Ca Mau forest with BAT Vietnam, care of 25ha of Ca Mau forest with Vinamilk, planting Ta Kou forest with Hong Leong Bank Vietnam, P&G Vietnam and Central Retail Vietnam. In particular, the program also has two brand ambassadors of P&G Vietnam, actress Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc and Miss H'Hen Nie, participating in spreading the message to the community.
Currently, Gaia's campaign to contribute trees to plant Phong Dien forest to prevent storms has also received strong attention and support from the community. This is an important effort to share information about the role of forests in reducing heat damage, preventing natural disasters and responding to climate change, responding to the Prime Minister's Project to Plant 1 Billion Trees and aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
In the future, Gaia will continue to plant upstream forests in Ta Kou Nature Reserve, Xuan Lien Nature Reserve, Ta Kou Nature Reserve and Phong Dien Nature Reserve. Gaia hopes for the cooperation and contribution of all individuals, units and businesses to contribute to the forest./.