The world’s second biggest rice exporter Vietnam is eagerly awaiting the outcome of 2009’s Global Climate Conference in Copenhagen. During the conference taking place from December 7th to 18th succeeding regulations for the Kyoto protocol will be agreed upon.

Vietnam is facing an uncertain future: By 2100, sea levels are said to increase one meter (3.3 feet) and consequently 31,000 km² (12,400 square miles) of land will be flooded. If the climate change continues without protective measures, the rice bowl of Vietnam will be in acute danger.

Sea levels are rising, on the one hand, because of the melting snow and ice, and on the other hand, because of the thermal expansion of the sea. Besides being responsible for the predicted inundation of land, which will particularly affect the ${attraction_Mekong_Delta:"Mekong Delta"}, the warmer climate is likely to cause heat waves, heavy rainfalls and an increased number of storms.

To counteract these hazards, funds have to be mobilized to invest in studies on climate change and to support an economy with low emissions of greenhouse gases.

How will our world look like in 1,000 years? Will Vietnam be one of the first victims of global warming? To which extent will the world’s food supply be affected from the consequences of the changing climate? And how can Vietnam prepare itself for the threat brought about by other CO2 sinners?

On Friday, December 18th, the last day of the Climate Conference, the participants will hopefully present a promising approach.