World Wetlands Day is one of the first environmental days on the calendar. It takes place on the 2nd of February in order to raise global awareness about the value
of wetlands for humanity and the planet. Not only this, but it also marks
the date of adoption of the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands in 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. World
Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.
By 2050, 66% of humanity will live in cities, as people
move into urban areas searching for better jobs.
Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the value
and importance of urban wetlands. In fast-growing
cities, wetlands are often viewed as wasteland;
places to dump rubbish, fill in or convert to other uses.
Scientists estimate that at least 64% of the world’s
wetlands have disappeared since 1900, while in
parallel, cities have exploded in growth". Urban wetlands make cities liveable by providing
multiple benefits such as; flood control, water supply,
waste treatment, green space and livelihoods.
Urban wetlands should be integrated into a city’s
sustainable future planning and development;
not viewed as wasteland.
Cities should adopt policies and actions which help
conserve and promote urban wetlands".
Here is a statement by Martha Rojas Urrego, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, on the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2018:
"Wetlands are essential for a sustainable urban future
4 billion people, about half of the world’s population live in urban areas today. By 2050 that
number is expected to increase as more people move into cities in search of jobs and better
opportunities.
Urbanization is one of the key defining mega-trends of our time. It’s completely transforming
where and how people will live in the future. In fact it is estimated that the number of megacities
with more than ten million inhabitants will jump from 31 to 41 by 2030.
A rapidly growing urban population comes with enormous challenges for city planners and
managers. They have to ensure that cities today can deliver not only basic services such as
accommodation, transport and water, but that these cities are safe, resilient and
environmentally friendly.
Every year on 2 February, we celebrate World Wetlands Day, to raise global awareness about
the important role of wetlands for people and the planet".
"This year’s theme “Wetlands for a
Sustainable Urban Future,” highlights the important role of wetlands for sustainable
urbanization. Urban wetlands are essential and contribute to making cities liveable.
During storms, urban wetlands absorb excess rainfall, which reduces flooding in cities and
prevents disasters and their subsequent costs. The abundant vegetation found in urban
wetlands, acts as a filter for domestic and industrial waste and this contributes to improving
water quality.
Urban wetlands supply cities with water and are green spaces for recreation which helps to
promote human wellbeing.
Today`s current development of human settlements is a major concern for wetland
conservation and wise use. As cities grow and demand for land increases, the tendency is to
encroach on wetlands. They are often viewed as wasteland available to dump waste or be
converted for other purposes.
Yet when preserved and sustainably used, urban wetlands can provide cities with multiple
economic, social and cultural benefits. They are prize land not wasteland and therefore
should be integrated into the development and management plans of cities".
"We encourage cities to adopt policies and actions which will help to conserve urban
wetlands. There are already successful examples of cities that have committed to sustainably
use their wetlands.
In October 2018 in Dubai, during the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, we will be recognizing the first cities to obtain Wetland
City Accreditation under our Convention.
We hope that these pioneer cities will serve as a catalyst and inspire deliberate actions that set
us on a pathway towards sustainable urbanization.
Let us commit to making our cities liveable by taking actions today to retain, restore and
preserve urban wetlands.
Happy World Wetlands Day 2018!"
Alternatively, you can view the video:
Let's have an in-depth look at the importance of wetlands:
· Reduce
flooding
Wetlands act as giant sponges that
absorb flood waters. Rivers, ponds, lakes and marshes soak up and store heavy
rainfall. In coastal cities, saltmarshes and mangroves work as a buffer against
storm surges.
· Replenish
drinking water
Groundwater aquifers, rainwater and
rivers are the source of almost all drinking water. Wetlands fi lter the water
that seeps into aquifers, helping to replenish this important water source.
Protecting rivers and limiting harmful run-off also helps safeguard the water
supply.
· Filter
waste and improve water quality
The silt-rich soil and abundant
plants in wetlands function as water fi lters, which absorb some harmful
toxins, agricultural pesticides and industrial waste. Urban wetlands also help
treat sewage from households.
· Improve
urban air quality
Wetlands radiate moist air thanks
to their high water levels and lush plant life. This naturally cools the air in
the local surroundings; a relief both in tropical cities and in extremely dry
climates.
· Promote
human well-being
When preserved as green spaces in
cities, wetlands offer residents a space for recreation and access to diversity
of plant and animal life. Studies confirm that interacting with nature reduces
stress and improves our health.
· Enable
people to earn a living
Many types of fish spawn and breed
in wetlands, making them popular fishing grounds. Wetlands provide reeds and
grasses for weaving, medicinal plants and fruits; all valuable goods for local
residents. Wetlands also attract tourism, another important source of jobs.
These wetland benefits grow ever more crucial as the number of people living in cities has now passed the 4 billion mark and continues to rise.
What are urban wetlands?
Wetlands are land areas that are flooded with water, either
seasonally or permanently. Urban wetlands are found in and
around cities or their suburbs and include rivers and their
flood plains, lakes, and swamps as well as coastal variants
such as salt marshes, mangroves and coral reefs.
Here follows an infographic will all of the important facts:
Parents click on the link for a coloring in picture: http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/documents/10184/272341/WWD18_color_in_English.pdf/6bf7f368-25c1-40b5-85f1-5817e541164d
How a wetland works:
Help create awareness by:
- Inviting the public to take action on urban wetlands Promote World Wetlands Day and the theme on urban wetlands on your website, on social media platforms, in newsletters or bulletin boards etc.
- Using the posters and hand-outs provided or create your own materials such as T-shirts, caps, banners etc. Indesign files are available and can be downloaded directly from: www.worldwetlandsday.org Translating the information materials provided into your own language.
- Writing a blog or article in your local paper. Inform journalists and other media about how wetlands benefit cities, and how important they are for quality of life in urban areas.
- Organizing an event in your vicinity.
Examples
include:
ü Urban wetland field trip: Most
cities have a wetland, maybe even a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar
Site). Consult the list of Ramsar Sites by country at
www.ramsar.org/sites-countries/ the-ramsar-sites. Once on site, consider what
the wetland does for the city. And enjoy bird-watching, hiking, a boat ride, or
a swim.
ü Conference or a talk featuring
wetland experts, local people who make their living in wetlands.
ü Exhibition to present and showcase
arts or photographs about wetlands. Community walk, bike or run for wetlands.
ü Public wetland clean-up day. Press
conference to make an important announcement.
ü Film viewing: bring people together
to watch a film on wetlands. Organize a photo or essay competition on World
Wetlands Day.
ü Organize or join an urban wetland
clean-up exercise.
You
can also do the following:
ü Become a wetland “Ambassador” who advocates
for protecting local wetlands.
ü Use water sparingly and avoid toxic
products that could flow into urban
ü wetlands.
ü Support actions that seek to
restore degraded urban wetlands.
Teachers' resources
- Teacher’s guide to sustainable cities with a strong biology and science orientation, aimed at grades 9-12, issued by The Nature Conservancy: www.natureworkseverywhere.org/asset/resources/Sustainable_Cities_ Teacher_Guide_v1_2_8_2016.pdf
- A brief but comprehensive overview of the growth of cities, from the United Nations: The World’s Cities in 2016 Data Booklet www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/urbanization/the_worlds_cities_in_2016_ data_booklet.pdf
- A practical teacher’s guide for a wetland field trip, including activities for four different age ranges: Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. http://seas.umich.edu/ecomgt/pubs/wetlands/hennepin/App%205.PDF
- A teacher guide to wetland activities aimed at grades 4-5 covering key aspects including food chain, and water cycle. From Ducks Unlimited Canada: Teacher’s Guide to Wetland Activities www.uaex.edu/environment-nature/wildlife/youth-education/TR%20Wetlands%20activities%20DU.pdf
References
http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/documents/10184/279535/En_+WWD2018+Statement.pdf/9792fe8b-942e-435d-b3fe-34426f92db5e
http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/documents/10184/272657/Handout+1/032e4501-70d5-49d6-b7db-6e2f5b08e5ed
