World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year internationally on 2 February. This environmentally-related celebration dates back to 1971 when on 2 February, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention, was signed in a small Iranian town of Ramsar. Since 1997, World Wetlands Day is the anniversary of signing a unique distinction, the first modern treaty between nations. The aim of celebrating Wetlands day is to promote the conservation of natural resources and wise use of wetlands and raise public awareness of the values and benefits that wetlands provide to humanity.
Over time, human activities, and overpopulation and construction, in particular, have led to various changes in the natural environment and ecological problems that ultimately impact wetlands. In the period of 55 years, or more precisely from 1970 to 2015, 35 % of global wetlands were lost, and 85 % of animals were lost since the 1700s. Compared to forests, wetlands are disappearing three times faster. These data are shocking and devastating to humanity.
What Loss of Wetlands Means?
For people, the loss of wetlands means water scarcity (water crisis). The lack of freshwater resources to meet the standard water demand for the human population may occur even faster than everyone expects. Furthermore, this is linked to food insecurity, leading to a lack of reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Loss of wetland areas substantially increases land exposure to flooding and extreme weather events. Since wetlands have a positive impact on health and overall wellbeing, the wetlands’ loss might lead to loss of livelihoods and wellbeing.
Take Actions; Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands are found in all countries across climatic zones. They are scattered from polar regions to tropical belts, from high altitudes to coastal areas and the arid deserts. Wetlands biodiversity hotspots include rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, and other ‘wet lands’; in its definition, the Ramsar Convention also includes coastal wetlands such as saltwater marshes and estuaries, mangroves, lagoons, and coral reefs. Ecologists warn that wetlands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in many regions worldwide.
Wetlands are freshwater stores, areas where the standing water covers the soil. Freshwater wetlands can be found along the boundaries of streams, lakes, ponds, or even in large shallow holes that fill up with rainwater. Unlike the estuaries, freshwater wetlands are not connected to the ocean; therefore, wetlands provide freshwater and ensure food supply, sustain biodiversity, protect against flooding, and store carbon dioxide. Wetlands are paramount carbon sinks due to their ability to absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release.
There are many issues regarding the loss of wetlands, including loss of vegetation, water pollution, invasive species, excessive development, road building, salinization, and excessive inundation.
Why World Wetlands Day?
Wetlands are vital to humans but also are essential for the planet Earth. As the wetland areas disappear, the biodiversity declines. Biodiversity loss means the loss of the various species that inhabit the Earth. Wetlands loss might irretrievably lose the different levels of biological organization and the natural patterns present in the ecosystems. Along with the loss of animals, plants, and even entire ecosystems, the loss of wetlands leads to increased carbon levels in the atmosphere and high emissions of methane. It is also important to mention that wetlands are water purifiers, so the loss of wetlands means loss of natural freshwater filtration stations.
A United Nations International Day
2 February 2022 is especially significant; this would be the first year that World Wetlands Day is observed as a United Nations international day. On 30 August 2021, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 75/317 that established 2 February as World Wetlands Day. The World Wetlands Day awareness campaign is organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands. This celebration is open to everyone interested in the preservation of wetlands, the environment, and nature: international organizations, governments, wetland practitioners, children, youth, media, community groups, decision-makers, to all individuals.
The theme for the 2022 edition is Wetlands Action for People and Nature with the hashtag #ActForWetlands. This year’s theme highlights the importance of taking action to wetland conservation and sustainable use. The motto of World Wetlands Day 2022 is “Stop draining the life from wetlands – use wisely.” By investing financial, human, and political capital, humanity can save wetlands from disappearing and restore the damage caused.
It is urgent to raise the national and global awareness of wetlands to rewet, reforest, and restore the wetlands and reverse the rapid loss of wetland areas.