Public urged for El Nino preparations

BANGKOK, September 27 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has launched a campaign to encourage Thai people to prepare for and to adapt to impacts from the El Nino climate cycle, caused by the escalating problem of global warming or climate change. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wichet Kasemthongsri presided over a ceremony to launch the “beat the climate change, with preparation and adaptation” campaign at Central World shopping centre in Bangkok on Thursday. The move is aimed to alert and educate the public on natural disasters which may occur in the future due to impacts from climate change, as well as to encourage them to, therefore, save natural resources by reducing gas and fuel consumption, for example. Thailand has experienced delayed seasonal downpours, more floods and repeated drought over the past couple of years due to the impacts of climate change. The minister said that he believes the campaign will prompt Thai people to beware of the changing conditions and to make appropriate adjustments to prevent or ease future disasters. The El Nino is the warm sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean which can cause unusual rainfalls, followed by heavy floods or drought during planting seasons. (TNA)