NAIROBI (Reuters) — A new report from the Convention on Wetlands warns that the global destruction of wetlands, which play vital roles in supporting fisheries, agriculture, and flood control, could result in a staggering $39 trillion loss in economic benefits by 2050.
The intergovernmental report reveals that since 1970, approximately 22 percent of wetlands have vanished. This includes freshwater systems like peatlands, rivers, and lakes, as well as coastal marine systems such as mangroves and coral reefs. This marks the fastest rate of loss for any ecosystem.
Multiple factors are driving this decline, including land-use changes, pollution, agricultural expansion, invasive species, and the effects of climate change—such as rising sea levels and drought.
\”The scale of loss and degradation is beyond what we can afford to ignore,\” stated Hugh Robertson, the lead author of the report.
To combat the threats facing remaining wetlands, the report calls for annual investments ranging from $275 billion to $550 billion. It notes that current spending represents a substantial under-investment, though specific figures were not provided.
The world has lost a staggering 411 million hectares of wetlands—equivalent to half a billion football fields—according to the report. Moreover, a quarter of the remaining wetlands are now classified as degraded.
Wetlands provide crucial economic benefits, including flood regulation, water purification, and carbon storage. These functions are increasingly important as climate change leads to rising water levels and more intense tropical storms and hurricanes.
Furthermore, wetlands support the fishing and agricultural industries while offering significant cultural benefits.
This report comes just a week before the meeting of the parties to the Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This global agreement, signed in 1971 by 172 countries, aims to spearhead the preservation of wetland ecosystems.
The group, which includes China, Russia, and the United States, convenes every three years. However, it remains uncertain whether all nations will send delegates to this year’s meeting.
The report highlights that wetland deterioration is particularly severe in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It also notes worsening conditions in Europe and North America.
In response to these challenges, countries such as Zambia, Cambodia, and China are currently undertaking wetland rehabilitation projects.
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