Jamie Robinson: Salinity rising - the hidden crisis threatening the Mekong delta

Jamie Robinson (BSc Environmental Science) joins us to discuss his research project 'Salinity rising: the hidden crisis threatening the Mekong delta' which is part of the Sustainability & Resilience Institute (University of Southampton) and Mekong Institute (Can Tho University) research collaboration.Salinity intrusion is increasingly threatening the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, a region vital for global rice production. In this episode, Jamie Robinson explores how rising salinity, driven by climate change, sea level rise and human activity, is impacting both the environment and local communities.Using fieldwork and long-term data, the research shows clear increases in salinity levels, especially during dry seasons, placing pressure on crop yields, water security and livelihoods. The episode highlights that this is not just an environmental issue, but a complex challenge requiring coordinated, sustainable solutions to protect the delta’s future.The Meliora Podcast Student Research Symposium is part of the 2026 Student Takeover Season where we celebrate the fantastic sustainability research work of our Undergraduate Students.Episode guest: Jamie Robinson, BSc Environmental ScienceEpisode host: Prof Simon KempEpisode producer & editor: Jack Dinham