On 2 March 2023, the School of Management, Mae Fah Luang University in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Bangkok organised the Project Launching: “Citizen Science for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in the Ing River Basin” at Pradu Daeng 1 Meeting Room, General Sampao Choosri Building (E4), Mae Fah Luang University. The event brought together researchers, government officers and local communities related to the Ing River Basin to share their views and experience.
The research project “Citizen Science for Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in the Ing River Basin” is a regional project, led by Oxfam Mekong Regional Water Governance Program, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is a three-and-a-half-year project, implemented in four Mekong countries (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam). The project started in the mid-2022 and is ending by mid-2025. This project aims to strengthen capacity of riverine communities, local authorities in mitigating risk and vulnerability, build the resilience capacity of key actors and stakeholders through enhancing inclusive and participatory planning to close the gap between policies and science, technical assistance for climate change adaptation to develop practical actions that communities and local authorities can take to reduce their vulnerability to disaster and climate risk and improve access to information, including hydro-meteorological data and early warning.
The project has engaged local civil society partners, INGOs, government partners, universities and research team from Kasetsart University, Ubon Ratchathani University, Mae Fah Luabg University and Mahasarakham University to collect data analyse the tendency of changes and develop environmental emergency response plan in order to strengthen climate resilience at the local level on the Ing River Basin particularly focusing on the woman, disability, and vulnerable groups.
In the opening ceremony, there were remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Nantana Gajaseni Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University, followed by Dr. Gemma Edgar, Counsellor (Development), Australian Embassy Bangkok, and Mr. Daovone PHONEMANICHANE, Strengthening Climate Resilience Project Manager, Oxfam Mekong Regional Water Governance Program respectively.
Assoc. Prof. Dr.Nantana Gajaseni stated in her speech that as global emissions and temperatures continue to rise, our world is facing the greater unprecedented climate challenges in human history. Scientists have warned us that we are dangerously close to tipping points which climate chaos could become irreversible. Last year in 2022, both Thailand and Australia had to cope with unprecedented rainfall causing devastating floods in the rainy season, while in the summer season the countries have experienced the driest summer in recent decades. The climate change has also been a key factor in increasing the risk of the Great Barrier Reef bleaching as well as bushfire and forest fires in the northern Thailand. The two countries indeed have faced common problems that require collaborative efforts. She added that as a university located in this region, MFU has a duty to walk the talk and turn words into actions.
In addition, there were the scholarship award presentation and public lectures on ‘Sufficiency Economy and New Agricultural theory as a pathway for climate resilience’ presented by Asst. Prof. Pichet Sovitayasakul, Advisor to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior and ‘Improving community resilience, a perspective from a social scientist’ given by Prof. Surichai Wan’gaew, Director for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, Chulalongkorn University.
Moreover, there was a session for an introduction to the research team, project plan, expected outputs and outcomes by the project leadership team including Asst. Prof. Dr.Sitang Pilailar from Kasetsart University; Prof. Dr.Tuanthong Jutagate from Ubon Ratchathani University; Asst. Prof. Dr.Apisom Intralawan from Mae Fah Luang University; and Asst. Prof.r Dr.Chainarong Sretthachau from Mahasarakham University. After the introduction session, the research team listened to feedbacks and suggestions from the audience.
