World Wetlands Day is an annual event that celebrates the importance of wetlands for people and the planet. It is held on February 2, the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. The convention is an international treaty that aims to conserve and sustainably use wetlands as a source of biodiversity, water, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for people and the planet. Wetlands are ecosystems that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, and support a rich diversity of life. They include marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, peatlands, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses, and other aquatic habitats.
The theme for World Wetlands Day 2024 is “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing”. The theme highlights the vital role that wetlands play in enhancing the quality of life of people around the world. Wetlands provide many benefits and services, such as:
- Water security: Wetlands store and filter water, regulate floods and droughts, and replenish groundwater. They are essential for ensuring access to clean and safe water for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, industry, and energy.
- Climate action: Wetlands act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They also buffer the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, storms, and heat waves, by reducing erosion, stabilizing coastlines, and moderating temperatures.
- Biodiversity conservation: Wetlands are home to more than 40% of the world’s plant and animal species, many of which are endangered or endemic. They support the migration and breeding of millions of birds, fish, and other wildlife. They also maintain the genetic diversity and resilience of ecosystems.
- Livelihoods and culture: Wetlands provide food, fiber, fuel, medicine, and other resources for millions of people, especially the poor and marginalized. They also offer opportunities for recreation, tourism, education, and research. They are part of the cultural heritage and identity of many communities, who have traditional knowledge and practices related to wetlands.
In Kenya, the event will be held at Lake Narasha (Timboroa Dam). This year’s campaign aims to raise awareness and appreciation of the value of wetlands for human well-being and to encourage actions to protect and restore them.
NECC invites everyone to join the global movement to celebrate and protect wetlands for human well-being and the planet.
