More than 170 countries gathered recently to discuss how to save wetlands, which are critical ecosystems. However, the U.S. was a no-show for most of the summit and Russia said it will withdraw from the wetlands treaty.
Wetlands are a crucial element of all life on Earth, supplying fresh water, oxygen, habitat, and food. The Ramsar Convention, an international treaty focused on the conservation and wise use of wetlands, is the oldest modern global environmental agreement, adopted in 1971.
Despite this agreement, since 1970 more than 35% of wetlands have been lost or degraded. A recent report compiled by more than 60 experts from around the world issued a dire warning that the decline of wetlands spells trouble for global food security, climate stability, and even the capacity for life on Earth to persist.
Sadly, geopolitics have overtaken even the instinct for survival. Because of a prior resolution to monitor Ukranian wetlands harmed during Russia’s ongoing war there, Russia now intends to withdraw from the treaty. Meanwhile, the U.S. delegate to the wetlands summit only showed up near the end of the meeting to demand that conference documents make no mention of climate change, diversity equity and inclusion, gender, UN sustainable development goals, or zero growth.
Disengagement by the United States from the world’s increasing and shared environmental problems is a global crisis that only worsens existing global crises.
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Earth’s Wetlands Are Disappearing and Global Efforts to Save Them Are Unraveling
Photo, posted October 8, 2013, courtesy of Marek Kusmin via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
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