A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

thinh truong richmond, tx — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:25:12 GMT

could you have more news about this. it's a pleasure to read something to make you feeel more educated rather than the warsssssss!!!

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

John Earth — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:32:36 GMT

What is there really to comment on? It's like this all over the world. I feel sorry for our children, and their children... We need to do something NOW, or there will be nothing left to repair.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Dave Ebert — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:34:44 GMT

Here in the "Delta" of the Caloosahatchee River in SW Florida, whatever happens upstream DEFINITELY affects the quality of our river downstream. The salinity changes with each holdout of freshwater from the upstream water management, and then again when they release too much. Fertilizer, insecticides and herbicides add their toll. The inevitable pollution from human development further degrades the lower estuary. The sea grass which supports our fishery is dying off, and invasive species like foreign tunicates are moving into niches where we can only guess future consequences. The base of our estuarine breeding system is being rapidly degraded. Professor Chiem is wise to start studying the ecology of the delta. He would also be smart to think about legislation to govern the safe management of aquaculture, which can pollute the environment with the feces and other byproducts of the millions of extra fish, and to teach regulation and safety laws for oil developement on the delta. The Mekong Delta was ane of the most fecund areas of the planet, and she is becoming barren through misuse. What happens there ripples through out the entire area, into the South China Sea and perhaps into the South Pacific in terms of breeding habitat loss. If she stops growing rice, well, I shudder to imagine the human impact.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

e sheehey — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:42:30 GMT

great story.good luck to professor chiem.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Shirley Canther Cottonwood AZ — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:58:23 GMT

I totally enjoyed your report. It's fun to hear and see non fighting. How there are those who love to see nature first hand and continue to see it grow better.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Michael McPherson — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:17:03 GMT

Mr. Chiem,phd., is a wonderful example of a true hero. He left his home to study, sacrificing his true desire to live in an ancestrial home and way of life in order to save what he could of an eco system that has been affected by modern manipulation of the environment. I count him a friend of the earth, and someone who is making a difference. Good for you Dr. Chiem.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Jess Tremaine, Sutton, Alaska — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:55:12 GMT

Wonderful, important subject, keep writing

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Robert S. Forrest, Medford, OR USA — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:06:36 GMT

Thanks for an important report and good luck to Professor Chiem. My wife is Thai and I have been to Thailand five times. I have heard ancedotally that the river up nort between Thailand and Laos is experiencing low levels and loss of fish etc.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Roxanne Steeves Lynn, Massachusetts — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:27:02 GMT

Execellent report. Very informative. Too bad China is refusing to see it's affect on other countries especially ones in that very important agricultural area of the world. Good luck to the Professor and may he see the fruits of his labor before it's too late.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Donna, Fairview, PA — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:30:45 GMT

Prof. Chiem should be a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize!!! Congratulations and thanks to him and all who have had the advantage os his sacrifices,talents, time, energy and foresight. He should appeal to all of our American Service Personnel for aid to continue his work(s) especially in the education of future generations and continuance of the eco-systems endeavors that are and will be needed.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Janis K Flamm, Spring Hill,Tennesse — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:35:37 GMT

Until the vast majority of the the people and governments of the world realize the need for conservation and population control the reality of the story of the Mekong Delta will be repeated again and again.
We need to recognize and support the courage and efforts of all those like Professor Chiem who work to save our Earth.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Western /AZ — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:44:31 GMT

This article pop up and I was interested as to how things have changed sense I was there Delta. Yes, different times. The Delta of Vietnam can only be understood as one must see it.

Hidden in places one would never expect are pagoda's with date back 2000 years, tigers, mountains, vast rice fields and the gentle people. Had there not been war and strife many things would still exist. Too much destruction and concern then. But I would assume little has changed. Those people do not want what we have here. because they respect the land, we abuse our land, they maintain to not change the good for better.

Avery nice article, I respect this man's efforts as we could learn more from people like him.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

keith,ny — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:48:21 GMT

all the ecologists in the world are ringing the disaster bell from pole to pole. pile his report on an already overwhelming pile. wait till the collapse of the rice basket. vietnam will become another country unable to feed its own. we sit on our bed hearing these reports from halfway around the world and shake our heads. 'too bad' we say and switch the channel. in 30-40 years the planet will be a different place.
years from now aliens who visit our planet will cruise by and laugh at how stupid an ENTIRE planet of humans are who willingly destroy a beautiful planet and leave it a wasteland for their children.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Bill Evans — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:52:53 GMT

Keep these kinds of stories coming. This should be on the front page not the celebrity crap we are inundated with.. Good luck Dr. Chiem

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

hebert, new orleans, la — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:59:59 GMT

It was like reading a report about the South Louisiana coastline. Degradation caused by man'a activities, saltwater intrusion destroying freshwater ecosystems, etc. Exactly the same.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

EP, Charlotte, NC — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:16:47 GMT

The impact of Agent Orange (and other defoliants) used during the Vietnam War could just now be causing some of the problems. Just as we see Vets dying now (many years after their exposure), the effects on the ecosystem could have taken many years to manifest in such a way that they become obvious. We do so much to the environment without understanding the impact to future generations. My husband served the US in Can Tho, Vietnam, and died 30 years later of a cancer seen more frequently in Vietnam vets than the general populace. Who knows what damage we also may have done to the environment many years ago?

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

G Hayes, Murphysboro, IL — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:17:45 GMT

I agree hero is a good description for Dr. Chiem. Thank you Adrienne Mong for a relevant report and for the human feelings woven throughout the story. The final comment by Dr. Chiem is just a hint of the personal sacrifices people like Dr. Chiem make for the betterment of the world. Best of luck Dr. Chiem.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

R. Gouveia , Burlington, Ma. — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:33:05 GMT

I spent the whole year 1969 - in Can Tho province. It is a very watery place, and a place of much beauty. The residence their are very hard workers. I unfortunately was there during the Vietnam war, so I didnt enjoy much of the comfort of the Mekong Delta.
Professor Chiem is doibng the correct thing to save a beautiful land.
R.J. Gouveia

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Been There — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:34:52 GMT

The water on the Delta was not drinkable in 1965, This I know because as member of a U.S.Navy ( SeaBee)
Well team we had to drill wells to get water that could be drank after being treated.As we found no surface water that was suitable . So i don't how old this Mr. Chiem is but this is not a new problem to the Delta or Southeast Asia for that matter.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

John Ande — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:38:34 GMT

John Earth,

You wrote: "What is there really to comment on? It's like this all over the world. I feel sorry for our children, and their children... We need to do something NOW, or there will be nothing left to repair."

I am sorry to report that we have already reached and passed the 'Point of no Return!'

The worlds population is now over 6.7 Billion and growing.

Our oceans are 'Commercially Extinct' yet the mega fleets keep fishing!

We have reached and passed 'Peak Oil' yet we are sucking it out of the ground faster than ever!

We now enjoy the 'Mercury Pollution Fallout' from Chinese 'Electric/Coal plants' and we ourselves have plans to build more!

Our world is heating up, the ice caps are melting, the glaciers are receding, food production is falling and 'methane gas' is being released in the arctic... yet the 'Soccer Moms of the World' insist on driving their SUV's.

In the last 39 years there has been 39 new diseases and just in the last five years there have been over more than 1,100 epidemics including cholera, polio and bird flu.

The US National Debt is now at 8.9 Trillion and it will be over 10 Trillion before the next President takes office... the point being... we don't have the money to do anything about the problem!

...and the people say 'We need to do something' as the Sixth Extinction gains momentum... The Religious Christian Nuts will tell you that we just need 'Jesus' and the Muslim fanatics will tell you that we should all convert to Islam...

I could go on but you wouldn't listen and you won't like what the facts say!

John Earth... we don't have a chance of getting out of this hole!

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Anthony D. Truong — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:52:53 GMT

A very depressing story, indeed, one man's fight against one of the many mis-uses of our Mother Earth's resources. It's even more depressing to see people in the scientific communities being blind by money and power, defending such grossy mis-uses.
Professor Chiem, being one of your compatriots deeply rooted also in the Mekong Delta, I hope we can all join the fight to save the Delta.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

JIM JOHNSON — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:35:38 GMT

As Chief of Utilities at Vinh Long Airfield it was occasionally necessary for me to dive to the bottom of the potable water suction pipe to clean off the debris. Is it a fact that, speaking of the Mekong "there are things in there that can eat you"?

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Nghia Tran, San Diego, California — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:55:01 GMT

Thanks for Mr. Chiem's big heart. I hope Mr. Chiem will soon help improve Mekong life, and many other places in Vietnam, and many places in the world.

Once I was there I had a chance pedaling from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Gio, a distric along rivers opened to sea. I was surprised seeing dead rice fields with sparkle white of salt on surface. "A few years ago, these fields gave us rice, but now give us flys." the people said, "Since this land turned into salty land, we have nothing to do, wild animals left, some died, and bugs and flys is everywhere."

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

John Earth — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:47:52 GMT

John Ande, How could you possibly know that I "wouldn't listen"? Your stated opinions were interesting, titillating, and welcomed. But you sort of put a damper on the validity of your opinions by making that uninformed comment that I "wouldn't listen". Try again...

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Amanda, Mankato, MN — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:01:12 GMT

I haven't heard anything about this besides this blog. Its sad how much things like celebrity news blocks us from hearing about the important things. But I guess that's what the government wants.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

jeff new york city — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:04:01 GMT

I have one thing to say
humanitys insensitivity to the planets need and no control over the population growth is the "A"
bomb that will kill the planet WAY before any war
why do you think people are starving
THERE IS NO MORE FOOD FOR EVERYONE
and by 2050 we will be is serious trouble
people wake up this is one pimple on mother natures butt

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Bob Roberts — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:43:12 GMT

The delta is beautiful and the people are gentle and kind. The men and women are as hard working as any where in the world. I was there in 1969 for a year, as an advisor to the south RVN regional and popular forces and the problems Dr. Cheim discussed were problems when I was there. I am surprized he did not discuss all the unexploded ordinance that we left behind that hazard the people every day in their paddies and fields. War really sucks!

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Right winger — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:57:41 GMT

We need to spend less time on these silly environmental issues and more time stopping same-sex marriage, flag burning, and the teaching of evolution. Yeah to Bush and his buddies.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Big E Biloxi, MS — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:04:34 GMT

Great article giving even more evidence that humankind, the "superadapter" is destroying the planet. One part of the equation that is rarely addressed is the impact on the increasing population. The Sierra club, for example, refuses to address this political hot button item. I have been to China and seen first hand what happens when there are too many people.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Jim Dunnavant, Reno, NV — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:10:57 GMT

I'll have to agree with Mr. John Ande in one respect; we have reached the point of no return. And sadly, he chooses to stay there, riveted, without hope. Because, you see, the part about "no return" was decided by the Creator of the universe, long ago, as He knew our nature. And, a plan was put in place for mankind. So, take your pick! Let your commentary read like Mr. Ande's. Let your life be a reflection of despair and of no hope. Or, join me, a "Christian Religious Nut" who has an eternal future based on faith, hope and love. (Please see Ephesians 2:8-10.) And by the way, Mr. Ande, Jesus Christ is exactly who we need! God bless!!

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

D, San Jose, CA — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:27:28 GMT

It is good idea if the media networks (TV, Radio's)can bring this subject to the public so that more people can see it.
It is helpful if somebody can present this subject to UN or the international committee to ask Vietnam, Lao, Thai Lan and China to step up on protecting or restoring the forestries.
It is an urgency that UN needs form a committee to study the impact of the China's dams on Mekong delta environment and from that to find a way to minimize the impact on environment causing by those dams from China.

All intellectuals,
Please do something to save the earth, the sooner the better!

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

pvw, Silver Spring, MD — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:47:59 GMT

We are all so helpless in a world dominated by greed and ignorance. There are no disputes on this page. It is obvious to anyone that Prof. Chiem is speaking the truth.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Nevada Democrat — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:00:42 GMT

Yaaaawwwwnnnnnn! Pass the keys to the Subaru, I'm going for a drive!

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

trang nguyen, oakland, ca — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:01:22 GMT

Thank you for the beautiful story. For an ex pat like me, hearing about current events and the individuals in the midst of them in the old country brings back bittersweet memories.

My parents, who have been back many times, tell me that the farmers live with the earth. They recycle/fertilize everything. It's so hard for us modern urbanized Americans to conceive that these farmers live on very little (indoor plumbing is a luxury) and yet they produce more than we ever could. Sure, we manufacture cars and cell phones and laptops, but can we produce the staples of life, like rice? I feel badly that the farmers are struggling not only to make ends meet but with the changing environment. But I also feel badly for all of us, because not too far from the distant future we will realize too late that what happens half around the world will also impact us directly.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

KR, Seattle, WA — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:04:57 GMT

Professor Chiem at 50 suffers from memory lapse. I was in Can Tho and nearby Binh Thuy in the late 1968 and through 1969 and observed the Mekong being both fishing ground and sewer system for the nearby population. As a breeding place for Cholera and other waterborne diseases, it would have been then as now, very dangerous to drink the watere. It appears that the Asian people continue to destroy the ecology of the area - be it the Chinese or IndoChinese.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Nevada Democrat, Tucson, AZ — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:18:14 GMT

Polar bears are going to go back to being big, brown bears. Sea Lions and seals are going to go back to calving and resting on land. The northwest Passage is going to REOPEN and volcanoes will go on emitting many times more CO2 per day than man can produce, even in the most fevered dreams of a so called environmentalist. As I said, I am going to take the Subaru ( Volvo, Honda, Prius, insert enviro-friendly car of your choice) down to the Dairy Queen for a nice tall, carbonated drink.

Then on the drive up Mt. Lemmon to watch the pollution tinted sunset, I'll be slurping at that big ol' coke and thinking of poor ol' what's 'is name over there in Viet Nam blaming me for all his problems which apparently have nothing to do with the dams in China.

Yep, when I can no longer buy a carbonated drink, or petroleum products from Big Al's Occidental Petroleum gas stations, then I will think CO2 is a problem and not just a tool for extracting money from the wallets of fools.Just wait until a "Carbon Credit" guilt tax is included on your tax return!

Guess how all those millions of tons of CO2 are produced for everything from soft drinks to revitalizing oil fields? Yep, by burning gas and oil and 'scrubbing' the Co2 from the exhaust. Most fools think it is compressed from the atmosphere!

Go fools go! Up with all the lame brains who either flunked or slept through high school science! Yep, get out the Lame-Brain Vote!

Re-elect Big Al so he can get the government to sell another big off-limits gov't oil reserve to Occidental Petroleum!(Think Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Strategic Reserve)I'll bet the Navy wishes it had access to all that non-OPEC priced petroleum now!

Don't believe me as he is YOUR lame brain guy, then look it up yourself!

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Boy Howdy, Ann Arbor, Michigan — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:40:39 GMT

Thank-you for this story! More "real" stories of this quality will be greatly appeciated. The Burma story is great too!

"What does all this Hollywood really got to do with us!" Donna the Buffalo

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Raymond Wright Bm2 NSF DaNang — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:43:58 GMT

I tried to save the MeKong once now it should be left to those who got it and on their hands let it rest.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Jerry Weikle — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:22:46 GMT

It is unfortunate that many of the delta's world wide we be nonexistant by the end of the century, due to global warming and melting of the polar caps. This includes the Nile, Mississippi, Amazon and other river deltas. There isn't an easy solution to mass migration of people in populated and developed nations.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

bobby luker — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:05:32 GMT

sad but true. China put the dams in to suit their needs, not the countries and people downstream, of course it will effect all downstream countries, no brainer

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Dave Thompson, Norman , Oklahoma — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:49:06 GMT

you know....this planet is over 4 BILLION years old, our planets environment was different then, and will be different 1 billion years from now (being our sun will burn out in about 3 billion) anywayit's had ice ages and times when even my state of oklahoma was an inland sea, and a rain forest. why do we try to make the earth be what we want,instead of letting it go through it's changes. man had lived on this earth through ice ages and times when we had an icecap the size of delaware!, you adapt or die, that's how it goes folks and I think man is smart enough to do that. don't worry about gas guzzling cars, soon there won't be any more oil for that anyway, coal will also run out, we'll have to come up with other sources or means of energy and we will. neccesity is the mother of invention you know.Maybe we won't have all the comforts and things of todays world, but we will have a world and maybe...just maybe a much better and peaceful one.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Ed, Naples, FL — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:23:58 GMT

To Dave Thompson, an interesting and enlightening position. But, I still have to wonder if we are accelerating earth's natural climate cycle, and what impact that has. There are no models on which to base an outcome. So with that in mind... does it not pay (thinking in the sense of climate, not economy)to accelerate the transistion to renewable non carbon emitting energy sources rather than oil exploration and tar sand purification processes? Maybe if we find a way to get rid of the coal fired and oil fired power plants and used more economical vehicles (Like your subaru for instance) we could still afford to have CO2 in our coke? (Cuz i'd be sufferin without my daily coke too man...)

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Borat Winkle, KC, MO — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:25:43 GMT

China and India is the main polluter to the Earth Environment: air and water.Sooner or later, we will all pay for the price. What can the United Nations do to curb those polluters? Stop importing their goods? We don't reward polluter by buying their products.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Robert Houston, Fort Lauderdale, FL — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:43:13 GMT

The article on the Delta was interesting, but what was more interesting was the comments. Some people really are fulfilled by riding around burning gas and guzzling sugar-drinks because they live in a spiritual vacuum. The Earth is not here to be "used up" and most animals would never consider soiling their own nest. Thanks for an enlightening article, most will see its merit, and for the rest, I just feel sorry for them.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Q.VUONG, WORC. MA — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:56:53 GMT

...........UNITED WE STAND.........

HOW CAN WE HELP ON THIS ISSUE?

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

Keith, Mount Vernon, WA — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:44:48 GMT

What a worthwhile article when the media mostly reports about the latest car bomb or whatever jail Paris Hilton stays in today.

Just the other day I was talking to one of my peers and remarked "I'm glad I'm not a young man, because I'm not sure I could bear what humankind is doing to the environment."

I hope that MSNBC.com publishes more articles like this and that people read them.

A farmer’s son tries to save the Mekong Delta

KR Twin Cities, Mn — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:35:00 GMT

Please people enough with the go green. Industry is bad..... blah blah blah. I don't think anyone will disagree that we are overusing the planet and causing many problems. But guess what with the population increases, just in the last century there are some common needs called the necessities of life. When population is controlled, maybe then we can start reducing the demand. There are many problems globally and there are places much worse, so insted of pointing fingers and whinning we need to solve the root problem and reduce the demand.