Protecting Wetlands.

[trent.barbeler]

18, Nov 2002

WWF urges governments to conserve wetlands and preserve dwindling freshwater supplies

 

The world's dwindling freshwater supplies threaten people and wildlife. © WWF-Canon / Edward PARKER

 

 

 

Related Links

 

 

- WWF's work at Ramsar COP8

- Ramsar Convention: not just for the birds

- WWF's Living Waters Programme

- Ramsar Convention

 

 

 

 

Valencia, Spain - As the Eighth Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP8) opens here, WWF is calling on member countries to take action to preserve the world's dwindling freshwater supplies by increasing internationally-protected wetlands from about 105 million hectares to 250 million hectares by 2010, or 20 per cent of the estimated global wetland coverage.

 

Recent studies predict that by 2025, humans will be using two thirds of available freshwater - as opposed to one half today. WWF believes that this figure highlights the urgent need for governments to put in place measures to sustain the health of wetlands which are the source of most of the world's freshwater. In particular, WWF is looking to governments to use this meeting to make substantial steps forward in protecting wetlands under the Ramsar convention.

 

"All Contracting Parties attending this meeting know that the world's freshwater resources are under great pressure,” said Jamie Pittock, Director of WWF's Living Waters Programme. “Wetlands are our only source of water so countries need to designate sites and thus directly promote the UN Millennium goal of halving the world's population without access to water and sanitation by 2015."

 

At the Ramsar COP7 in 1999, some 55 Government delegations made pledges that should have resulted in nearly 400 new Ramsar sites — wetlands of international importance — being designated by COP8 but only 15 of these countries have, to date, either met or surpassed their pledges. Another 43 Contracting Parties have failed to add to their Ramsar site portfolio since COP7. In particular, WWF is deeply disappointed that Russia and Finland have failed to comply with their promises to designate numerous wetland sites. It is of grave concern that as of 22 October 2002, there were 59 sites included in the Montreux Record that lists internationally important, endangered wetlands, approximately 90% of which had been Montreux Record-listed for longer than five years. Only five sites have been removed from the Montreux Record since COP7.

 

At the same time, WWF is deeply concerned that the host country, Spain, is proposing a Spanish National Hydrological Plan (SNHP) entailing 118 dams that would hike EU taxpayers' costs and drain the Ebro Delta of billions of dollars worth of natural resources. WWF is calling on COP8 delegates to urge the Spanish Government, and especially, the Ministry for the Environment, to reconsider this retrograde Plan. In particular, WWF is urging the Spanish Ministry to complete an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of all component projects of the Plan, a cost-benefit study of the Ebro River transfer, and an in-depth assessment of economically and environmentally sustainable alternatives.

 

However, some progress has been made over the past few years — nations like the United Kingdom, Bolivia, and Algeria have made progress in protecting vast stretches of wetlands that secure water and livelihood for millions of people. In particular, Algeria's success in restoring threatened oases in the Saharan Desert, which were formerly included in the Montreux Record, is a precedent of crucial importance in the world's second driest continent.

 

"Protecting wetlands under the Ramsar Convention is not merely an act of goodwill - it is critical for securing the supply of water for nature, people and food production," said Jamie Pittock.

 

For further information:

Lisa Hadeed

Communications Manager, WWF Living Waters Programme

Tel.: +41 (0)79 372 1346

E-mail: LHadeed@wwfint.org

 

Mitzi Borromeo

Press Officer, WWF International

Tel.: +41 (0)79 477 3553

E-mail: MBorromeo@wwfint.org

 

Notes for editors:

 

Ramsar Convention COP8

The Eighth Conference of the Convention of Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands takes place from 18–26 November in Valencia, Spain, with a theme of "Wetlands: water, life and culture". WWF will work to promote the Ramsar Convention as an effective tool for protection and management of wetlands, with attention also focused on Spain's proposed Hydrological Plan that entails some 118 dams and damage to vital ecosystems.

 

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Signed in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are currently (November 2002) 133 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1201 wetland sites, totalling 105.8 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

 

Wetlands are defined to include rivers, lakes, swamps, and marine areas less than six metres in depth. Member countries of the treaty are obliged to do three things:

 

• Manage all wetlands sustainably, promoting the wise use of all wetlands within their territory.

• Consult with other Parties about the implementation of the Convention, especially with regard to trans-frontier wetlands, shared water systems, shared species, and development projects affecting wetlands.

• Designate wetlands that meet the criteria for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance for conservation.

 

Jan Kappel, Secretary-General, EAA

'European Anglers´ Alliance'

 

EAA Office:

82 Rue F. Pelletier

B-1030 Brussels

Belgium

 

Tel: +32 (0)2 732 0309

Fax: +32 (0)2 736 2858

Mobile: +32 (0)498 840523

E-mail : eaa.aepl@skynet.be

[chesters1]

how can wetlands be of use to anyone :confused: either drain them or dig holes in them for peat then fish them

[Bruno Broughton]

Agreed, Chesters. And as for those rain forests :mad: If we cannot cut the beggars down and burn 'em, or turn the trees into skirting boards, or use them for paintball war games.. forget it. No use to anglers, so level them and get some Tarmacadam in there for the fast-food car parks. :cool:

 

Nature? Best kept in zoos, I say.