Risky human-animal interaction can lead to serious disease outbreaks: WWF report
More than a year after the COVID-19 outbreak, a new report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and GlobeScan shows that there is a strong understanding that risky human-animal interaction, often connected to deforestation and high-risk wildlife trade, can lead to serious disease outbreaks.
Hanoi (VNA) – More than a year after the COVID-19 outbreak, a newreport by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and GlobeScan shows that thereis a strong understanding that risky human-animal interaction, often connectedto deforestation and high-risk wildlife trade, can lead to serious diseaseoutbreaks.
The report entitled “COVID-19 One Year Later: PublicPerceptions about Pandemics and their Links to Nature” builds on the study“Opinion Survey on COVID-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets” conducted byWWF and GlobeScan in 2020 to understand public attitudes and behavioursregarding COVID-19 and future pandemics.
It said 46 percent of all surveyed participants listeddisease transmission from animals to humans as the root cause most likely totrigger future pandemics.
In addition, the majority of those surveyed believe thatpreventing future pandemics begins with addressing root causes, includinghigh-risk wildlife trade and deforestation.
People from all five surveyed countries, including Vietnam,China, Myanmar, Thailand and the US, strongly support government efforts toclose high-risk markets selling animals from the wild (85 percent) and stopdeforestation (88 percent). In Vietnam, the agreement rates to these mattersare 94 percent and 95 percent, respectively.
Marco Lambertini, WWF International Director General, saidthat the prevention of pandemics is estimated to cost 100 times less thanresponding to them. The pandemic has made it blatantly clear that investing inplanetary health and nature is the only way to avoid paying such a terriblesocial and economic price again in the future.
The report results serve as an important foundation forVietnam and other countries in the region to consider decisions on closingwildlife markets and closing forests to proactively prevent the pandemic.
WWF is calling on decision makers to include interventionsneeded to address key drivers of zoonotic disease outbreaks in their pandemicprevention plans. Closing forests and high-risk wildlife markets, for example,will help recover wildlife populations and maintain local and globalbiodiversity that naturally help regulate disease, as well as help ensure thesustainable use of natural resources.
To support the fight against COVID-19, citizens are highlyrecommended not to buy, sell or consume wildlife products to prevent pandemicsand ensure the safety of themselves and the community./.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is launching two new projects to facilitate Vietnam to contribute climate-positive actions to helping address the global climate crisis, according to a recent announcement from the US Embassy in Vietnam.
At least 86 percent of advertisements for illegal wildlife products in hotels, restaurants, bars, pet shops and herbal medicine shops in Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam were removed by local authorities in 2019 and 2020.
Vietnam has launched long-term and consistent efforts to strengthen law enforcement to protect wildlife and biodiversity and improve the livelihoods of people affected by declining biodiversity.
Choreographer Quang Dang is known for his “Washing hands” dance, which reminded people during the first wave of COVID-19 last year about the health ministry’s hygiene recommendations on washing hands. He has now once again attracted public attention with a dance calling for the protection of the pangolin, an endangered wild animal.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
