World Environment Day 2018

World Environment Day

World Environment Day is celebrated on the 5^th of June each year and is one of the UN’s most important environmental days. It encourages worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. It is the ‘People’s Day’ for doing something positive for the environment. World Environment Day has gained tremendous momentum over the years. Since its inception in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.

Theme for 2018

Each WED is organised around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. This year's theme "Beat Plastic Pollution" was chosen by the host country, India.

Plastic pollution is a defining environmental challenge. “Beat Plastic Pollution”, the theme for World Environment Day 2018, also ties in with World Oceans Day’s 2018 theme of “Prevent Plastic Pollution” that will take place on the 8th of June. The theme was chosen by India, the host country. 

It also is about considering how all of us can make changes in our everyday lives in order to reduce the burden of plastic pollution on not only our natural places and wildlife, but also our health. All partners raise awareness and inspire action to form the global movement needed to wholeheartedly combat plastic pollution. It promises to be the largest and most consequential World Environment Day ever. They are going to build on the global momentum to beat plastic pollution and use as a turning point to people worldwide to do more than just clean up existing plastics, but also focus their action upstream.

This year’s World Environment Day provides an opportunity for each of us to embrace the many ways that we can help to combat plastic pollution around the world. And you don’t have to wait until 5 June to act. Nor do you have to take only take action on the 5^th June; preventing pollution can be part of your green, everyday lifestyle.

Key actions and message

An important message the day tries to convey is in order to beat plastic pollution, we need to entirely rethink our approach to designing, producing and using plastic products. Their goal is to inspire solutions that will ultimately lead to sustainable behaviour change upstream. They are also calling on governments to enact robust legislation to curb the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastics. Its aim is to harness individual actions and transform them into a collective power that has a legacy of real and lasting impact on the planet. They are working with education partners to help them reconsider their plastic habits, generate solutions and raise awareness. They want to inspire children on how they can take action to protect the environment. Children can then spread this message to their parents and, importantly, the wider community.

Plastic’s impact on the environment and on humans

Although plastic has many uses, people have become too reliant on single-use or disposable plastic – with severe environmental consequences.

It is shocking to realize that:

·         Every year, 13 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans, threatening marine and human life and destroying our natural ecosystems. It smothers coral reefs and threatens vulnerable marine wildlife.

·         The plastic ending up in the oceans can circle the earth four times in a single year, and it can persist for up to 1,000 years before it fully disintegrates.

·         Nearly one third of the plastic packaging we use escapes collection systems, which means that it ends up clogging our city streets and polluting our natural environment.

·         What is even more worrisome is the fact that, around the world, 1 million plastic drinking bottles are purchased EVERY MINUTE.

·         Every year we use up to 5 trillion disposable plastic bags. In total, 50 per cent of the plastic we use is single use.

·         Over 90% of bottled water and even 83% of tap water contain microplastic particles. Micro-beads from beauty products and other non-recoverable materials also negatively impact our environment.

·         Plastic also makes its way into our water supply – and thus into our bodies.

·         Plastics contain a number of chemicals, many of which are toxic or disrupt hormones.

·         Plastics can also serve as a magnet for other pollutants, including dioxins, metals and pesticides.

Other Global Plastic Pollution by Numbers

·         Up to 5 trillion plastic bags used each year

·         17 million barrels of oil used on plastic production each year

·         100,000 marine animals killed by plastics each year

·         100 years for plastic to degrade in the environment

·         90% of bottled water found to contain plastic particles

·         83% of tap water found to contain plastic particles

·         50% of consumer plastics are single use

·         10% of all human-generated waste is plastic

What needs to be done?

It requires a complete rethinking of the way plastic is produced, used, and managed. Simply put: Our manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and trade systems for plastic NEED to change. Items that are merely thrown away immediately after a single use must stop. Individual action alone cannot solve the problem of reducing our plastic footprint. It is important that the problem is addressed at its source. Manufacturers must be held to account for the entire life-cycle of their consumer products. Policymakers and governments must safeguard precious environmental resources and public health by encouraging sustainable production and consumption through legislation. Focusing on the next generation is central to addressing the plastic pollution issue.

What has been done to curb plastic use?

Individuals, companies, and communities have increasingly exercised their power as consumers. This has been evident especially in supermarkets where people have, instead of using single-use plastic grocery bags, have used recyclable material or paper bags. Many have also reconsidered their purchase habits in supermarket aisles. People have also continuously turned down plastic straws and cutlery and several restaurants have joined in a campaign to not give any plastic straws out anymore. Beach clean-ups have also taken enthusiastically place. While clean-ups may only address the plastic issue at the end of its life cycle, they are a wonderful way to see the extent of plastic waste first-hand and rethink their behaviour.

Is there something else I can do, though?

Consumers must not only be actors but drivers for the behaviour change that must also happen upstream.

The main idea that this day wants to bring across is:

If you can’t reuse it, refuse it.

Furthermore, there are so many things that we can do:

·         Ask your restaurants to stop using plastic straws

·         Bringing your own coffee mug to work

·         Pressure your local authorities to improve how they manage your city’s waste.

·         Bring your own shopping bags to the supermarket

·         Pressure food suppliers to use non-plastic packaging

·         Refuse plastic cutlery

·         Pick up any plastic you see the next time you go for a walk on the beach

On social media platforms you can share your ideas on social media using the hashtags #BeatPlasticPollution #WorldEnvironmentDay #WED2018 and inspire other people to also get involve.

Download the Litterati app to track the plastic waste that gets collected. Click on www.litterati.org and register what you collect so that it is included in the global total.

There is also a guide to help you develop your promotional materials for World Environment Day 2018. Click on the link to learn more: http://worldenvironmentday.global/en/get-involved/toolkits.

Encourage another institution to make a plastic-reduction pledge: Make a commitment to reduce your school, university, or organisation’s use of disposable plastic.

#BeatPlasticPollution game of tag

Join the global #BeatPlasticPollution game of tag: Invite students and staff to take a selfie with their canvas shopping bag, metal straw or any other reusable product and tag five friends, telling them to do the same. The person tagged should post a photo with their reusable item within 24 hours. You can also challenge other institutions to join you in cleaning the planet: Announce that your school, university, or organisation is cleaning up plastic litter in a park or public space for World Environment Day. Challenge other to do the same.

You can also host your own event and make it as fun, inspiring and interesting as you would like.

You, as citizens, must act as both consumers and informed citizens, demanding sustainable products and embracing sensible consumption habits in your own lives. To Beat Plastic Pollution, everyone needs step up and think about how they can not only reduce, reuse and recycle, but seek to inspire behavioural changes.

Only when we all come together, can we successfully combat one of the great environmental challenges of our time.

Remember: IF YOU CAN'T REUSE IT - REFUSE IT!

Kids, there is also a video just for you:

REFERENCES

http://worldenvironmentday.global/

https://www.unenvironment.org/events/un-environment-event/world-environment-day-2018

http://worldenvironmentday.global/sites/default/files/toolkit_with_nature/wed_key_messages_english.pdf

http://worldenvironmentday.global/sites/default/files/toolkit_organizations/WED2018_Education_Kit_030418.pdf

World Water Day 2018

From the 18^th to the 23^rd of March, the 8^th World Water Forum is taking place in Brazil. World Water Day falls on the 22^nd of March and, this year it is the 25^th year of it being held and will be enthusiastically celebrated at the forum. World Water Day is coordinated by UN-Water (the UN’s inter-agency collaboration mechanism for all freshwater related issues) in collaboration with governments and partners. It places an important spotlight on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

History of World Water Day

This day was first proposed at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

Why is there a World Water Day?

Because World Water Day is an international observance, it provides an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. The engagement campaign is coordinated by one or several of the UN-Water Members with a related mandate.

Water challenges

Source: Unknown

Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education and livelihoods. There are many local, national, and global water challenges facing our planet. Water demand will increase 55% by 2050 as a result of population growth, economic development and changing consumption patterns as well as growing demand from manufacturing, thermal electricity generation and domestic use. It will continue to grow significantly over the foreseeable future. Environmental damage, coupled with climate change, is driving the water-related crises we observe around the world. The global water cycle is intensifying due to climate change, with wetter regions generally becoming wetter and drier regions becoming even drier. Urbanisation, de‐forestation, intensification of agriculture add to these challenges. Degraded vegetation, soil, rivers and lakes worsen floods, drought and water pollution. If we neglect the ecosystems, it is harder to provide everyone with the water we need to survive and thrive. Industrial and domestic demand for water will increase much faster than agricultural demand, although agriculture will remain the largest user overall.

2018’s theme

Each year, UN-Water (the entity that coordinates the UN’s work on water and sanitation) sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a current or future challenge. 2018’s theme is “Nature for water”. The theme explores how we can use nature to overcome the different water challenges currently facing our planet.

Nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of our water challenges. More has to be done with ‘green’ infrastructure and harmonize it with ‘grey’ infrastructure. Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands will rebalance the water cycle and, subsequently, improve human health and livelihoods.

NBS use or mimic natural processes to enhance water availability (e.g., soil moisture retention, groundwater recharge), improve water quality (e.g., natural and constructed wetlands, riparian buffer strips), and reduce risks associated with water‐related disasters and climate change (e.g., floodplain restoration, green roofs).

Currently, water management remains heavily dominated by traditional, human‐built (i.e. ‘grey’) infrastructure and the enormous potential for NBS remains under‐utilized. NBS include green infrastructure that can substitute, augment, or work in parallel with grey infrastructure in a cost‐effective manner. The goal is to find the most appropriate blend of green and grey investments to maximize benefits and system efficiency while minimizing costs and trade‐offs.

Importance of Sustainable Development Goal 6

This goal, mainly to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030, includes a target to halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and increase water recycling and safe reuse. Thus, it includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.

The Water Crisis and the OECD Water Governance Principles

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and UN have emphasized the need for dialogue and action on water governance — to focus on changing water behaviours and decisions. Managing and securing access to water for all is not only a question of money, but equally a matter of good governance. The 12 OECD Water Governance Principles provide guidance for governments to design and implement effective, efficient, and inclusive water policies. To date, they have been endorsed by 170+ stakeholder groups or governments.  

World Water Development Report 2018

The World Water Development Report (WWDR 2018) Report was launched at the 8th World Water Forum in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 19 and in conjunction with World Water Day. The report demonstrates how nature‐based solutions (NBS) offer a vital means of moving beyond business‐as‐usual to address many of the world’s water challenges while simultaneously delivering additional benefits vital to all aspects of sustainable development. Solutions inspired and supported by nature (“nature-based solutions”) use, or mimic, natural processes to address contemporary water management challenges, improve water security and deliver co-benefits vital to all aspects of sustainable development. The 2018 edition of the World Water Development Report (WWDR 2018) seeks to inform policy and decision-makers, inside and outside the water community, about the potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) to address contemporary water management challenges across all sectors, and particularly regarding water for agriculture, sustainable cities, disaster risk reduction and improving water quality.

The World Water Development Report can be downloaded here: http://www.unwater.org/publications/world-water-development-report-2018/

Here are two videos with regards to World Water Day:

We often take water for granted. Thus, we must always remember that every day should be World Water Day.

References

https://theconversation.com/why-every-day-should-be-world-water-day-92561

http://www.oecd.org/governance/oecd-principles-on-water-governance.htm

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0026/002614/261424e.pdf

http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/

http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/background.shtml

http://worldwaterday.org/world-water-development-report/

International Day of Forests 2018

 

Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods, medicines, fuel, food and shelter. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land. They are also home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Even though they provide a myriad of priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarmingly fast rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually. Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Today International Day of Forests is celebrated all over the world. It is an annual occurrence and a particularly important environmental day. It not only helps to raise awareness of the importance of forests to people, but also their vital role in poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and food security. Sustainable management of all types of forests are at the heart of unlocking challenges of conflict-affected, developing and developed countries, for the benefit of current and future generations.

2018 Theme: Forests and Sustainable Cities

This year the UN has provided the platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of woodlands and trees, and celebrate the ways in which they sustain and protect us.

Key Messages that they want to convey are:

·         Forests and trees store carbon, which helps mitigate the impacts of climate change in and around urban areas.

·         Trees also improve the local climate, helping to save energy used for heating by 20-50 percent.

·         Strategic placement of trees in urban areas can cool the air by up to 8 degrees Celsius, reducing air conditioning needs by 30 percent.

·         Urban trees are excellent air filters, removing harmful pollutants in the air and fine particulates.

·         Trees reduce noise pollution, as they shield homes from nearby roads and industrial areas.

·         Local populations use the fruits, nuts, leaves and insects found in urban trees to produce food and medicines for use in the home, or as a source of income.

·         Wood fuel sourced from urban trees and planted forests on the outskirts of cities provides renewable energy for cooking and heating, which reduces pressures on natural forests and our reliance on fossil fuels.

·         Forests in and around urban areas help to filter and regulate water, contributing to high-quality freshwater supplies for hundreds of millions of people. Forests also protect watersheds and prevent flooding as they store water in their branches and soil.

·         Well-managed forests and trees in and around cities provide habitats, food and protection for many plants and animals, helping to maintain and increase biodiversity.

·         Forests in cities and surrounding areas generate tourism, create tens of thousands of jobs and encourage city beautification schemes, building dynamic, energetic and prosperous green economies.

·         Urban green spaces, including forests, encourage active and healthy lifestyles, improve mental health, prevent disease, and provide a place for people to socialize.

How you can partake in the day:

·         Watch and share the International Day of Forests video 2018 (please see video below).

·         Take part in the International Day of Forests 2018 photo contest by sharing a photo of that special tree or that special forest in your city.

·         Organize or join events celebrating forests – tree plantings, symposiums, art exhibitions, or a photo competition.

·         Use the #IntlForestDay hashtag on social media.

Read the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations’ report on the state of the world’s forests here: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5588e.pdf

Why do you think forests matter? Follow the link to find why forests are important: https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/forests/why-do-forests-matter

How much do you really know about forests and cities? Follow the link to the FAO’s quiz to find out: http://www.fao.org/zhc/detail-events/en/c/1107093/.

References

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/background.shtml

http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/

8th World Water Forum - March 18 to 23, 2018

From the 18^th to the 23^rd of March, the 8^th World Water Forum will be taking place in Brazil, the country with the freshest water in the world. The World Water Council organizes the Forum every three years together with the respective host country and city. In 2014, Brazil’s candidature to host the event was successful and Brasilia was selected as the host-city for the event. It is the first time the event is held in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the world’s largest water-related conference. The World Water Council is an international organization that brings together all those interested in the theme of water. More than 40,000 representatives from governments, NGOs, and companies will be present. The World Water Council’s mission is “to promote awareness, build political commitment, and trigger action on critical water issues at all levels, to facilitate the efficient conservation, protection, development, planning, management, and use of water in all its dimensions on an environmentally sustainable basis for the benefit of all life on Earth”. It was founded in 1996. It is a platform to encourage debates and exchanges of experience and to reach a common strategic vision on water resources and water services management amongst all stakeholders in the water community. This year, the United Nations will launch the new International Decade for Action on Water (2018-2028) and release its annual World Water Report. The emphasis at these forums is "on the need for innovation and investment in the water sector, water science, water technology and water infrastructure, services required to meet our water challenges and cope with crises like drought, flooding, and pollution".

References

http://www.worldwaterforum8.org/en/8th-world-water-forum-march-18-23-2018

https://theconversation.com/why-every-day-should-be-world-water-day-92561

World Wildlife Day 2018

Today is an important day on the annual environmental calendar: World Wildlife Day. This day is a prominent global wildlife event. On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

This year’s theme (“Big cats: predators under threat”) involves precious big cats (they not only include lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars (the four largest wild cats that can roar), but also cheetahs, snow leopards, pumas, clouded leopards, etc.), placing the spotlight on their protection. Lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars are majestic animals, symbolizing power and courage. These cats are widely recognizable, admirable, and charismatic. Big cat species are primarily found in Africa, Asia, and North, Central and South America. Sadly, though, they face various and unprecedented threats (primarily caused by human activities) to their survival in the wild, and globally too. Their populations are rapidly declining due to loss of habitat and prey, conflicts with people, poaching, and illegal trade.

According to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), “tiger populations plummeted by 95% over the past 100 years and African lion populations dropped by 40% in just 20 years”.

According to the CITES Secretary-General, John E. Scanlon, “over the past century we have been losing big cats, the planet’s most majestic predators, at an alarming rate. World Wildlife Day 2018 gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about their plight and to galvanize support for the many global and national actions that are underway to save these iconic species. Through World Wildlife Day big cats will generate the level of attention they all deserve to be sure they are with us for generations to come”.

Follow the link for facts and statistics about cheetahs, jaguars, pumas, leopards, lions, snow leopards, and tigers: http://www.wildlifeday.org/content/learn

Show your support for this incredibly important day by hosting your own event with a big cats theme. It will be a roaring (pun intended) success!

References

https://cites.org/eng/protecting_big_cats_is_the_call_of_World_Wildlife_Day_2018

http://www.wildlifeday.org/

World Wetlands Day 2018

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 

To recap, World Wetlands Day 2018 aims to raise awareness about how urban wetlands contribute to the future of sustainable cities and you can assist, too.

References

http://www.worldwetlandsday.org

http://www.worldwetlandsday.org/documents/10184/273021/WWD18_Guide_Engl.pdf/e81ab981-a8b9-48b7-9e35-316de596c70c

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