University students look at a photo exhibition on air pollution in Vietnam's big cities (Photo courtesy of CHANGE) HCM City (VNS/VNA) -Thirty-four photos chosen in the photography contest "Portray Air,Expose Pollution" are being displayed at universities throughout Ho Chi MinhCity until June 14 to improve awareness about air pollution in thecountry’s large cities.
The exhibitions, which are partof the Clean Air, Blue Sky campaign, call on visitors and students to takepart in programmes promoting pure air.
The exhibitions began at theHCM City University of Social Science and Humanities in District 1 on June5, and will travel to the Banking University in Thu Duc district onJune 8, and to Hoa Sen University in district 1 on June 10, among otherlocations.
At the exhibitions, students playgames relating to environmental protection.
Dr Dong Van Huong, Vice Rector ofthe HCM City University of Transport and Communication, where the exhibitionwill be held on June 12, said that university students should think ofways to reduce air pollution, especially in transport.
Nguyen Cat Tuong, project managerat the Centre of Hands-on Action and Networking for Growth and Environment(CHANGE), said that figures from the World Bank show that Vietnamsuffers an economic loss of 5 percent of its GDP every year becauseof pollution.
In HCM City, the level of airpollution exceeds by three times the guidelines set by the WorldHealth Organisation. Motorbikes are the main cause of air pollution.
Traffic contributes 99 percent oftotal carbon dioxide emissions in the city, and 37.7 percent of dust.
The exhibitions wereorganised by CHANGE in cooperation with 350.org, a non-profit organisationunder the sponsorship of the Consulate General of Germany in HCM City.-VNS/VNA
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