Experts working in climate change research have recently forecastnegative impacts of climate change on economic development, theenvironment, biodiversity and the health of humankind.

They stressed that the situation requires effective measures for mitigating and addressing consequences.

Accordingto Professor Nguyen Ngoc Lung from the Research Institute forSustainable Forest Management and Forest Certificate, global warmingbrings about changes in weather and climate, resulting in shifts in theseasonal structure. He cited heavy rain and landslides outside therealms of natural law as examples.

The storm in Ca Mau in 1997,serious floods in central and Central Highlands provinces in 2009 and2013, and violent drought in southern central localities since thebeginning of this year were also mentioned as evidence of the situation.

Meteorologists said these have been the most serious natural phenomenon over the last 20 years.

ProfessorTruong Quang Hoc from the Vietnam Association for Conservation ofNature and Environment said the increasing global warming also changesthe boundaries of ecosystems, endangering a number of fauna and floraspecies.

Drought, forest fire and floods, which are consequencesof climate change, can cause a drop in the number of species, expertssaid.

Climate change is considered a risk to agriculturaldevelopment and water resources as it causes various impacts on crops,cultivation area planning, irrigation systems, productivity and outputof farm produce.

Additionally, climate change also leads tonegative community health impacts through direct and indirect forces.The elderly and ill are most vulnerable to the situation.

Accordingto the World Health Organisation, as many as 11 key infectious diseasesare influenced by climate change worldwide, including malaria, denguefever and Japanese encephalitis.-VNA