IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON EMPLOYMENT OF THE YOUTH IN THE RURAL MEKONG DELTA – MODELS OF ADAPTION

Abstract

The environmental degradation and climate change in the Mekong Delta are becoming severe and have significant impacts on the livelihoods of rural households. Using both quantitative and qualitative data collected from two communes in the provinces of Bến Tre and Sóc Trăng, this study aims to investigate the impact of climate change on labour, employment, and adaptive strategies among young people. The research findings indicate that rural-urban migration is often regarded as a common adaptive strategy among young people in rural areas nowadays. However, this is not yet the optimal solution, as there is a great need to strive towards sustainable livelihood models for rural youth in the Mekong Delta in the near future.