On Thursday, ceremonies to launch a climate-focused campaign which educates domestic citizens about climate change were held in Viet Nam’s major cities of Ha Noi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho.  The campaign is in response to the “People’s Climate Mobilisation” programme, which is initiated by the international environmental organisation 350.org from the USA.

The campaign will focus on raising the general public’s awareness of the negative impacts of coal.  In addition, the local authorities in the participating localities will be asked to make a positive shift from the use of coal to renewable energy and fossil fuels. 

The campaign’s major activity, September Black Day, will take place in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Can Tho tomorrow (20 September) and in Ho Chi Minh City on 21 September.  In Da Nang, some members from the 350.org Danang will pose as statues at the Eastern Sea Park, and the Rong (Dragon) and Han River bridges between 3pm and 8pm.  The living statue performers should encourage local residents and visitors to take photographs with them, thereby conveying the message of environmental protection to the community.