Raise awareness of our existential connection to wetlands.

Extremely productive ecosystems, wetlands provide critical services to people across the globe. Recognised as vital sources of freshwater and food, they’re abundant in biodiversity. They serve as critical habitats or breeding areas for many endangered and threatened species, and a wide range of endemic plants and animals depend on specific wetland environments to survive. These ecosystems safeguard humanity against extreme weather by reducing the intensity of waves, absorbing storm surges and buffering tsunamis. They’re also highly effective carbon sinks – as peatlands store about 30% of land-based carbon, twice the amount of all the world’s forests. Notably, wetlands contribute to job creation and employment, and embody cultural landscapes embedded in identity, art and spirituality. Yet, wetlands are constantly under threat from human-made factors – from pollution to unsustainable land use to poorly planned infrastructure to climate change. This year’s campaign raises awareness of our existential connection to wetlands and underscores the role traditional knowledge plays in the sustainable management, use and protection of these vital ecosystems. Importantly, the campaign celebrates the wealth of ecological understanding passed down through generations.