HÀ NỘI — An animation addressing climate change, based on a story of a Vietnamese student in Hà Nội, has been introduced by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Việt Nam.

Entitled Hải Mộc Nhi, which is also the name of the superhero, the cartoon tells the story of an amazing girl with an incredible superpower that enables her to awaken and unite people to fight against climate change to save the earth.

The animation which is based on the original story and drawings by 12-year-old Nguyễn Ngọc Gia Hân from Hà Nội, was launched on Tuesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22.

“Through the story, I would like to tell everyone that climate change is threatening our lives and we can only protect ourselves by working together,” said Hân

“Hải Mộc Nhi’s superpower – our superpower – is the power of Dragon father and Fairy mother, the superpower of ocean and forest, which is already inside all Vietnamese people,” she added.​

This photo shows superhero Hải Mộc Nhi, the main character in the animation that is introduced by UNICEF Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. —  Photo vietnamplus.vn

​International studies show that children are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. Việt Nam is among the countries most severely affected by climate change, which could undermine achievements in terms of child survival and development, as well as lead to many risks. 

“On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the unfolding COVID-19 crisis has taught us some valuable lessons for how we honour and protect the only earth we have. It has reminded us of how precious life is, how important clean air is for our lungs, how vital access to clean, running water is to our health, to protect us from disease – the world can come together to solve big problems, but we need to act today to ensure the future of our children,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Việt Nam, on UNICEF’s website.

Hân is the third prize winner of the Superhero Comic Contest, jointly organised in 2019 by UNICEF and Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Young Pioneer Council with support from artist Lê Cát Trọng Lý.

The contest called on children across Việt Nam to create a superhero who can save the earth, fight natural disasters and climate change.

Hân’s story about superhero Hải Mộc Nhi was selected by DeeDee Animation Studio based in Việt Nam to transform into an animation video as part of their support for UNICEF.

“Children’s imaginations are without limit. Turning their ideas into visual images is both exciting and challenging. With this animation, we hope to contribute to raising awareness among the public about climate change as well as encouraging children to be creative to express themselves,” said Đặng Hải Quang, the founder and executive director of DeeDee Animation Studio.

The first winning artwork of the Superhero Comic Contest will also be transformed into an animation film that will be screened later this year.

Earth Day has been annually organised worldwide on April 22 since 1970. The event aims to raise awareness about the value of the Earth's natural environment and call for the active participation of each person in protecting the planet. The theme of the Earth Day this year was Climate Action chosen by the United Nations. — VNS