(Vientiane Times) The Water Resources and Environment Administration (WREA) is continuing 45 priority projects for adaptation to climate change and global warming in Laos after the National Environment Standard (NES) was approved by the government last year.

WREA's Head of Climate Change Office of the Department of Environment, Mr Syamphone Sengchandala, last week gave an interview to mark World Environment Day on June 5.

He said the NES focuses on the four sectors of agriculture, forestry, water and public health to control development projects and pollution release management through water, air, land and sound, aiming to encourage environmental conservation in Laos.

Mr Syamphone explained that carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere that traps heat from the sun and warms the planet.

Today, CO2 levels are at about 375 parts per million (ppm), higher than ever before in human history.

Top scientists say the level of CO2 must be reduced to below 350ppm to preserve the planet as we know it.

“At 390ppm, Laos is already seeing the impacts of climate change, such as changing rain patterns, more floods, water shortages, and severe storms that are causing massive damage and leading to the spread of disease,” said Mr Syamphone.

He said climate change involves more frequent severe weather events such as tropical storm Ketsana which hit southern Laos last year and was the worst storm the nation has experienced in living memory.

“This is a reminder for us to adjust our activities to fight climate change and avoid future disasters.”

Mr Syamphone said WREA is cooperating with the Department of Agriculture to conduct research into rice seeds and crops that are more adaptable to the hotter weather which would occur if global warming continues.

It is essential to help farmers adapt to climate change and help them prepare for events such as floods and droughts.

Mr Syamphone said WREA would encourage local people to learn how they can help to mitigate the manifestations of climate change and play a part in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The Lao government is encouraging people to plant trees with the aim of achieving national forest coverage of 70 percent by 2020, as well as promoting the use of renewable energies such as solar and wind power and biogases.

These are important initiatives for protecting the environment and achieving sustainable natural resource use in Laos, as well as helping the government to meet goals for reducing poverty and expanding economic growth.