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To explore the effects of the changing climate on life in the Mekong Delta, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service has launched a special project, Climate Change And Vietnam.

During a three-day boat-trip along the Mekong river, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service's multi-language, multimedia team will report to the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s global audience of 233 million on the efforts already being undertaken to adapt to the changing environment and the potential impact across the region and wider world.

The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ boat set sail today (Monday 7 December) from Ho Chi Minh City with ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service English, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Afrique, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Burmese, µþµþ°äÌý°ä³ó¾±²Ô±ð²õ±ð, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Indonesia, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Urdu and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Vietnamese journalists on board, to examine issues which affect Vietnam, the wider region and the rest of the world.

Also on board are climate experts, NGO representatives and government officials.

The overarching theme of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ coverage is the relation between climate change, on the one hand, and the regional and global food and water security on the other.

The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ investigates how the Mekong Delta, dubbed the rice basket of Asia, is coping with rising sea levels and increased water salinity; discusses existing methods of dealing with flooding including mangrove planting, and cultivation of saline-tolerant varieties of rice and fruit; and asks officials about measures being put in place to deal with flooding and cyclones.

The Climate Change And Vietnam Project Manager, James Sales, says: "The security of this fragile ecosystem, which is the Mekong Delta, is vital to millions of people.

"As the eyes of the world are fixed on the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s multilingual teams, broadcasting to audiences across regions and continents, are embarking on this journey so we can help inform the global debate with inputs from people representing various backgrounds and agendas.

"The boat journey includes stops in My Tho and Can Tho City. From these locations, the teams will make trips to the Thoi Son sand islet, a floating market, a uniquely Vietnamese fusion such as a VAC farm, and other places, reporting Vietnam's climate story to the rest of the world."

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service Publicity