Did you know…

 

                  …February 2 was not only Groundhog Day but also World Wetlands Day? 

 

In Canada, our wetlands play important environmental roles. They store more carbon than any other ecosystem. Peatlands alone store twice as much carbon as the world’s forests. Wetlands also absorb excess water which helps in preventing floods and provides a source of water in times of drought…both of which assist communities in adapting to climate change. 

 

And even more importantly, wetlands are a very unique water cleansing environment capable of removing harsh pollutants and improving the quality of the water. Nature’s superior water filtration system.

 

 

Globally, almost 90% of the wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s. We are losing wetlands three times faster than our disappearing forests. And yet, we do not seem to grasp how critically important these ecosystems are through their valuable contribution to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, world economies and much more.

 

This is why it is extremely urgent we raise national and global awareness about the threat to our global wetlands. It is imperative we work towards reversing their rapid loss immediately before it is too late. Efforts must be made to encourage wholehearted action in conserving what wetlands are left and restoring those we can.