On January 15th, students at the Center for Developmental Economics, Navy Hort of Cambodia, Nhung Thi Cam Nguyen and Quy Duy Ta of Vietnam spoke at Log Lunch. All of the speakers shared interesting and inspiring stories focused around development and environmental trade-offs in their home countries.
First, Quy shared his knowledge of environmental challenges facing Vietnam’s development strategies. Most notably, Quy focused on the rapid population growth in Vietnam since 1995 and its effect on industrialization, urbanization and agricultural expansion. In addition to adjusting development strategies to support population growth, Vietnam is also affected by climate-induced challenges including severe weather patterns, reduced air and water quality and deforestation. With these factors in mind, Quy concluded that Vietnam will undoubtedly face challenges in the future, but provided solutions to these problems including a new legal framework, energy efficient technologies, sustainable agriculture, and education reform in rural communities.
Next, Nhung shared her story about “Rice Cultivation and Its Impact on the Environment in Vietnam.” Nhung’s talk nicely complimented Quy’s more general study of Vietnam’s development and environmental impacts by focusing specifically on the agricultural sector. Important factors to consider when looking at the environmental impact of rice farming in Vietnam is extensive water and chemical use and how improved education in rural communities can help to greatly limit irresponsible agricultural practices.
Lastly, Navy talked about “Trade-offs Between Energy and Environment” through the lens of hydropower dams along the Mekong River in Cambodia. This example demonstrated the complex scientific, political, and social obstacles facing renewable energy alternatives.
Thank you to all of the students and faculty from the Williams College Center for Developmental Economics for visiting Log Lunch!