Wetlands play a vital role in the health of the planet and its people. And on the 2nd of February every year, people from across the globe celebrate World Wetlands Day with the aim of spreading awareness of the importance that these ecosystems hold. With the first commemoration in 1997, this year’s 2022 World Wetlands Day marks 25 years of its celebration.
The Ramsar Convention
In the Iranian city of Ramsar, the Convention on Wetlands was signed on the 2nd of February in 1971. This document is a treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Known as the Convention on Wetlands it has also been named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was originally signed on the 2nd of February in 1971.
Since then, every three years the representatives of the contracting parties meet to administer the work of the convention. As well as discuss how to improve the ways to implement its objectives.
The Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands play a crucial role not only the in survival of the planet but also in human existence. They are among the world’s most productive environments. Because they create indispensable ecosystems bursting with biological diversity. Which aid in providing countless crucial benefits to humanity. Such as fresh water supply, food and building materials. Or flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation. Because of this, a staggering 40% of the world’s species are reliant in some way on wetlands.
In a message to the public, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary, Convention On Biological Diversity informs us,
“Wetlands naturally improve water quality and recharge underground aquifers for human use. Which helps with the provisioning of drinking water and water for agriculture.”
However, according to the global data, “We are losing wetlands at an alarming rate. Roughly 35% of natural wetlands have been lost over the past 50 years. We are also seeing a degradation in the quality of the remaining wetlands.” Something that Mrema rightly points out as “a matter of global health and security”.
Furthermore, wetland conservation could be the answer to so many current global problems. Because simply allowing nature to do what it does could alleviate the world of many of its ailments. And as Mrema adds, “Wetland preservation is a Nature-based solution”.
As well as this, Qu Dongyu, the Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization notes, “Wetlands and water resources play crucial and irreplaceable roles in achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. On this first celebration of UN World Wetlands Day, let us act together and take care of our wetlands as a healthy kidney of our planet.”
The Theme for World Wetlands Day 2022
The Standing Committee of the Convention on Wetlands has agreed that the theme for this year’s wetlands day of awareness is “Wetlands Action for People & Nature”.
Looking ahead, they have planned for the 2023 theme to be “Wetland Restoration”. And the 2024 theme “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing”.