A photo collection featuring eight Vietnamese artists wearing gas masks is circulating on social media websites YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. The photos depict the effects of pollution on daily life, especially from exhaust emitted by power stations that use fossil fuel. — Photo daidoanket.vn

By Phương Mai

HCM CITY — A photo collection featuring eight Vietnamese artists wearing gas masks is circulating on social media websites YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. The photos depict the effects of pollution on daily life, especially from exhaust emitted by power stations that use fossil fuel.

“I’m shocked. I can’t imagine how my life will be in the future if pollution becomes more severe,” said Nguyễn Thế Hùng, a student at the HCM City University of Economies.

The photo collection, created by art director Lai Nguyen and photographer Milor Trần, is part of the “I Can’t” campaign launched by CHANGE (Centre of Hands-on Action and Networking for Growth and Environment) and 350.org Việt Nam.

With the topic of “Don’t Let Pollution Destroy Your Life”, the campaign has attracted eight artists, including composer/singers Thanh Bùi and Tiên Tiên, singers Trọng Hiếu, Bích Ngọc and Hoàng Quyên, actress Diễm My, choreographer Alexander Tú and dancer Hải Anh.

Composer/singer Thanh Bùi, who is director of Soul Academy, said: “I want my students to have a better future so they can show off their talent. However, severe pollution caused by fossil-fuel power stations is threatening the life of my beloved students.”

In his photo, Thanh poses as a teacher wearing a gas mask sitting near a broken piano. He feels disappointment because he cannot teach his students properly while wearing the mask.

“As a teacher and artist, my responsibility is working with other artists about the situation. Now or Never?” he added.

Trần Tùng Anh of CHANGE said: “The photo collection aims to encourage individuals to care more about environmental problems, and raise ideas to control pollution and climate change in Việt Nam.”

Anh said that a report from Harvard University found that 4,300 people die from problems caused by fossil-fuel power plants in Việt Nam each year, and the number will increase to 25,000 in 2030.

Along with photos with famous artists, the campaign has published a collection of photos depicting pollution in households.

Many activities to protect the environment will be held at HCM City universities, cultural houses and on social media websites until May 2.— VNS