Laos to plant one million trees every year as part of fight against global warming
One million new trees will be planted every year in cities throughout Laos as part of the effort to protect the environment and make the country greener.
This initiative, which will be in place until 2020, is part of Laos ' contribution to the international fight against global warming.
World Environment Day was celebrated on June 5, although celebrations took place in Vientiane on June 7.
During these celebrations Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh said climate change was affecting people's living conditions around the world, and Laos could make a positive impact by planting more trees.
“Climate change is a problem for many countries, especially developing ones. It is hard for poor people to adjust, because they don't understand the effects of climate change,” he said.
“Climate change may increase poverty and affect sustainable development, making it harder to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.”
The government has declared a year-long awareness campaign to help make cities green and clean by encouraging people to reduce the use of plastic bags and recycle materials whenever possible.
“This is to encourage people to be aware of the kinds of actions we need to take to protect the environment and also to support the participation of Lao people in activities to mark the United Nations International Year of Sanitation,” he said.
Prime Minister Bouasone said environmental conservation affected development, economic growth and the sustainable management of natural resources. It was essential for individuals and private and state organisations to recognise this, he said.
“By planting more trees we will help to improve people's living conditions, as well as working towards our aim of increasing Laos ' forest cover to 70 percent of our land area by 2020,” he said.
This will also help to offset air pollution emissions, especially greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide, which are major causes of global warming.”
Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune also spoke about the issue at World Environment Day celebrations.
He said Vientiane would this year focus on planting trees, reducing plastic bag usage, supplying clean water and improving hygiene.
Dr Sinlavong said every country in the world had a role to play in reducing the impact of climate change.
“It is very important for people to be aware of how to protect their natural surroundings. They can do this by using the 3 Rs in their daily lives: reduce, re-use and recycle.”
Steps towards making Vientiane an attractive city include teaching the public to dispose of their rubbish properly and encouraging them to use organic material, such as banana and lotus leaves.
Dr Sinlavong said Vientiane needed to be beautiful because it would be the focus of celebrations in 2010 to mark the 450 th anniversary of the capital's transfer from Luang Prabang.
“This is essential to prepare to celebrate in this event. We have declared six keywords for Vientiane to encourage people such as security, cleanliness, green area, light, attractive and civilisation,” Dr Sinlavong said.
Water Resource and Environment Office Director, Ms Khamfong Phoumvongsai, said the office would focus on two major events: the 450 th anniversary and the SEA Games, scheduled for 2009.
“On World Environment Day we planted 300 new trees on Sithong road and cleaned up 26 roads and five drains. These activities form part of preparations for the two events,” Ms Khamfong said.
Ms Khamfong said it was also very important for people to help each other save energy and natural resources, and to encourage them to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in order to address climate change.
Residents are encouraged to participate by recycling, cleaning the area around their houses, and by planting trees, flowers and grass to help Vientiane become a clean city with fresh air.
