Cat Ba biosphere reserve area is

The climate change scenario of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment predicts that at the end of this century, the sea level in Hai Phong and Cat Ba can rise 65 - 100 cm, sea surface temperature is up to 1.6 - 3.5 degrees Celsius. If this scenario is correct, the damaging effect of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve is very large.

According to the research of the expert group, Center for Marine Life Conservation and Community Development, within 50 years, climate change (CC) has changed the face and geology of Cat Ba coastal area. Only sea level measured in Hon Dau Marine Station (Do Son, Hai Phong) has risen about 20cm. The effects of sea level rise increase the erosion of sea and storms, causing damage and risks to the lives of people and resources in coastal areas.

A corner of Cat Ba. (Photo: Duy Lan / Hai Phong Newspaper)

The expert group of the Center also gave a startling result: Erosion affected 16.1km out of 125km of seaway in Hai Phong and eroded complicated developments in Cat Ba island area (Phu Long). , Dinh Vu) and Cat Hai. Extreme weather events (less rain, more warming days, .) and environmental hazards (tornadoes, strong storms that move erratically .) occur with higher intensity. Clearly, CC is strongly impacting Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve in particular and Hai Phong in general.

According to Mark Hawkes, an expert at Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, to help Cat Ba reduce the impact of climate change, functional sectors should soon have solutions to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, reduce CO ₂ and increase the use of fuel-saving equipment such as electric vehicles, or develop farms using biogas.

In the same viewpoint with Mr. Mark Hawkes, many environmental experts said that Cat Ba needs to develop specific plans, integrate livelihood development with climate change response measures, balance development and conservation; apply environmental payment mechanism for marine ecosystems, to quickly reduce CO ₂ causing greenhouse effect, reduce pollution emissions from tourism activities around the island to the marine environment; strengthen community education with stakeholders (tourists, fishermen, managers) to bring them into specific activities, to counter the negative effects of climate change on marine resources .

However, experts also note that the adaptive strategies of Hai Phong in general and Cat Ba in particular need to be flexible and long-term.

Hopefully, with the awareness and responsibility of every people who love the sea and the efforts of all levels and sectors, it will help Hai Phong coastal community in general and Cat Ba in particular to further improve their knowledge and skills. force on climate change response, marine resources management, ensuring harmony between development and conservation.