Several countries in Africa and Latin America launched a “
historic
” initiative on Thursday March 23 to restore 300,000 kilometers of rivers by 2030 as well as lakes and wetlands, degraded by human activities.
This "
freshwater challenge
", led by a coalition of governments that notably includes Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico and Gabon, aims to restore, by 2030, 300,000 kilometers of rivers, approximately "
seven times around the Earth
", and 350 million hectares of wetlands, roughly the size of India, announced in a press release the UN and several other actors at the Conference of the UN on the water in New York.
This initiative, "
the largest in history for the restoration of rivers and wetlands
", calls on all governments to set national objectives in this area to restore the good health of freshwater ecosystems crucial for the needs in water for humanity and for biodiversity.
As water shortages become widespread throughout the world, under the influence of overconsumption, pollution and climate change, freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened on the planet.
The freshwater challenge is a crucial first step.
Stuart Orr, shower water manager at WWF
“
The clearest sign of the damage we have done – and continue to do – to our rivers, lakes and wetlands is the staggering 83% drop in freshwater species since 1970,” commented in
the communicated Stuart Orr, of WWF, hoping that this initiative can "
reverse
" the trend.
“
Healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands support our societies and economies, but are systematically undervalued and neglected
,” commented Inger Andersen, patron of UN Environment, welcoming the commitment of this coalition. of country.
“
As states have pledged to restore one billion hectares of land, the freshwater challenge is a critical first step in bringing needed attention to freshwater ecosystems,” she said
. added.
“
Healthy freshwater ecosystems are critical for water security and food security, while tackling the climate and nature crisis, and encouraging sustainable development,” commented from
his side Martha Delgado Peralta, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs of Mexico.
