According to Master’s degree holder Lê Thị Xuân Lan from the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Center, the average temperature statistics in Ho Chi Minh City from 1984 to 2004 indicate that temperatures in the city are steadily rising.
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The increase in the number of motor vehicles is one of the reasons contributing to the rising temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: N.C.T. |
In 1984, the average temperature in Ho Chi Minh City was 27.1°C. By 2003, it had increased to 28.1°C, and in 2004, it reached 28.0°C. “During this 20-year period, there were years with higher average temperatures and years with lower ones, meaning that the temperature does not always rise year after year. However, the overall trend is gradually increasing,” said Ms. Lan.
Ms. Xuân Lan noted that previously, the highest temperatures in the Southern region were recorded at locations such as Phước Long, Đồng Xoài, or Xuân Lộc. However, in recent years, there have been instances where temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City were equivalent to or even higher than the hottest temperatures recorded in these areas.
Another statistic from Master’s degree holder Nguyễn Thị Hiền Thuận, Deputy Director of the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Institute, also shows that the average temperature in Ho Chi Minh City continues to rise. Notably, from 2001 to 2005, the average temperature in the city reached 28.0°C, an increase of 0.4°C compared to the 1991-2000 period, reflecting the same level of increase as in the previous 40 years. Meanwhile, according to scientists worldwide, a temperature change of just 0.2°C can cause significant adverse effects.
Experts indicate that, apart from the greenhouse effect, the warming in Ho Chi Minh City is also due to the urban heat island effect, as the city has few green spaces and narrow streets with tall buildings, which reduces air circulation.
Moreover, the rising population, coupled with the increasing number of motor vehicles, air conditioners, and cooling devices, exacerbates this warming effect. The growing amount of waste and pollutants in the urban area also contributes to the temperature changes in the city.
Experts believe that changes in temperature can lead to shifts in the ecological environment, promoting the spread of diseases. Additionally, the hot and stuffy air directly affects human health. Given the high population density, the impact of increasing temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City is particularly concerning.
Temperature changes also affect rising sea levels, alter air currents, and impact water resources and irrigation issues in agriculture.
