A scene of “Chasing Coral” (Source: VietnamPlus)

Hanoi (VNA) – The European Union (EU) Delegation on October 3 hosted a free screening of the movie “Chasing Coral”, aiming to raise public awareness of the severe impact of climate change.

As part of the activities within the EU Climate Diplomacy Week 2019, the event was held back-to-back with a ceremony organised by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to reward the winners of a photo competition promoting climate action, in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the EU.

Around 200 youngsters attended the movie screening, 150 of them students from universities in Hanoi.

In his remarks, Giorgio Aliberti, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said: “We chose the movie because not only it’s an interesting documentary which showcases the underwater world, but also sends a strong message on the negative impact of climate change.

It is also in line with the growing awareness of Vietnam's society on the importance of the ocean and why we need to protect marine resources.”

“Chasing Coral” taps into the collective will and wisdom of an ad man, a self-proclaimed coral nerd, top-notch camera designers, and renowned marine biologists as they invent the first time-lapse camera to record bleaching events as they happen.

Unfortunately, the effort is anything but simple, and the team doggedly battles technical malfunctions and the force of nature in pursuit of their golden fleece: documenting the indisputable and tragic transformation below the waves.

The film was produced in over three years, with more than 500 hours underwater, including footage from over 30 countries, and made with the support of more than 500 people all over the world. With its breathtaking photography, nail-biting suspense, and startling emotion, “Chasing Coral” is a dramatic revelation that won’t have audiences sitting idle for long.

Winner of various awards at multiple international film festivals, “Chasing Coral” is considered one of the most worth watching environmental documentaries.

After seeing the movie, young audiences were encouraged to recommend the movie to their friends, continue discussing and relaying the message on environment protection and climate change.

The European Union Climate Diplomacy Week 2019, co-organised by the EU Delegation to Vietnam and the embassies of EU member states, aims to educate young Vietnamese generations about climate change and its impact on their future.

Apart from the film screening, the week, from September 27 to October 6, also features the inauguration of a rooftop solar power system, a seminar with students, a cycling event, and a clean-up campaign at the foot of Long Bien Bridge in the capital city.

It targets young people who will be most affected by climate change.

Chargé d'affaires of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Axelle Nicaise lauded young people for their efforts to raise public awareness of climate change.

As Vietnam is one of the countries hardest hit by climate change, the EU is actively helping the country mitigate damage by funding studies on the impact of changing climate and proposing suitable adaptation measures.

[Climate change affects 10-12 percent of Vietnam’s population]

Predictions say by the end of the 21^st century, up to 40 percent of the Mekong Delta area will be under water. The figures are 11 percent and 3 percent in the Red River Delta and other coastal areas, respectively. In addition, 20 percent of the area in Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s southern economic hub - is vulnerable to flooding. As the result, climate change will directly affect between 10- 12 percent of the nation's population, causing 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) losses.

Vietnam ranks 6^th globally in the most up-to-date Climate Risk Index ranking released by Germanwatch, the highest of any ASEAN country.

The ranking also analysed the extent to which each country has been affected by weather-related loss events, at the 24^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) in December 2018 in Katowice, Poland./.