World Wetlands Day 2022: What does it mean for you?

What is World Wetlands Day?

World Wetlands Day is observed on 2nd February every year to raise awareness of Wetlands and their importance as an eco-system. On this day in 1971, the Wetlands Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar (their political capital). Last year the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 75/317, which proclaimed World Wetlands Day. Thanks to this, people everywhere are starting to understand their significance in the world.

Since that day in Iran, there have been yearly themes for the occasion and for 2022 it was “Wetlands Action for People and Nature”. This is something we at Absolutely Bear hold close to our hearts - people getting closer to nature and taking action to conserve it.

What are wetlands, and why are they so important?

A wetland is a unique ecosystem that is either permanently or seasonally inundated with water. This includes marshes, mangrove forests, peatlands and swamps. And they all have a lot to offer us.

Climate change is happening. Wetlands are a whole ecosystem that helps shelter habitats from specific events like tsunamis and cyclones. They absorb rain and protect us from draughts with average temperature reductions of 10 degrees celsius. They’re home to millions of wildlife species and contribute to the delicate balance of nature in many countries.

Let’s face it; they’re pretty darn good for the earth. But how good are they for humans?

The world’s wetlands are essential for humanity

Not only do these vast ecosystems help combat climate change, but they are also fundamental for food and livelihoods. More than half the world relies on wetland grown produce like rice, and over 1 billion people make a living through these areas.

They make stunning landscapes for inspiration and act as a beacon of our natural world. Sadly, water is depleting in these ecosystems, species are in danger, and human impact can no longer be ignored. We don’t say this lightly, BearFolk, but it’s time we start protecting them.

How to protect wetlands

You might be thinking, that’s all well and good, but what on earth can I do about it? Well, we’ve got a few tips about how you can help keep our wetlands thriving below:

Stay organic

When gardening, make sure you are only using natural substances. Any harmful chemicals such as pesticides, fertilisers or insecticides can seep into groundwater and cause harm to wetland ecosystems. Buying organic is an essential part of this too. Organic veg is readily available these days, so opt for this instead of your supermarket staples. Of course, when it comes to sustainable clothing, we’ve got your back. Organic Cotton is a fantastic way of ensuring your clothes are responsible for Wetlands. Our range of organic cotton menswear is environmentally friendly and keeps our waters crystal clear.

Get recycling

Blue bin, black bin, green bin, does anyone even know what’s what anymore? We can all get a bit complacent with our recycling and waste, so make sure you’re getting it right every time so you can do your bit for our wetlands. Reducing your plastic use is an easy way of helping prevent harmful rubbish from floating around in these pristine waters. Our packaging is sustainable in every way with 100% biodegradable bags and plant-based, plastic-free materials.

Reduce Water

Water is vital to wetlands, obviously. But did you know that wetlands are pretty marvellous at conserving it? Humans are not so good at that, which is why it’s up to us to change things. Using fresh, clean water constantly harms our wetlands, so turn the tap off when you can and think about water consumption when you’re shopping. Our organic fabrics use 91% less water, so we pride ourselves on keeping the steady stream of the wet stuff at a minimum.

Get involved with organisations

Donating, volunteering or helping sustainable organisations is one of the best ways to help ecosystems directly. As proud contributors to the “1% for the planet movement,” we like to think it’s important to give back. Take a look at the World Wetlands Day website to see how you can get involved.

Top 3 wetlands to visit in the UK

Now you understand the importance of wetlands; it’s time to bask in their beauty. Say it together now, Nature is good for you, and blue spaces (environments abundant in water) are well known for their stress relieving benefits. Getting out into these spaces allows us to understand them better and improve our own health and wellbeing. There are lots of options both in cities and out in the sticks, but the question is, which will you choose?

The London Wetland Centre - Barnes

This beautifully kept reserve is situated in west london and is abundant in beautiful plant life and wildlife. Not only are there breathtaking vistas, but you can find otters, ducks and geese bobbing about in the vicinity.

 London Wetlands Centre - Photograph credits: Sam Stafford (WWT)

Insh marshes - Scotland

Up in bonnie Scotland lies one of the most important wetland areas in Europe. It is home to breeding waders including curlew, lapwing, redshank and snipe. Its beautiful landscapes are a must-see.

Insh Marshes - Photo Credit - RSPB

Cley and Salthouse Marshes - Norfolk

This coastal reserve comprises over 300 hectares and has panoramic views that are simply stunning. It’s one of the country’s most popular bird-watching sites and has an award-winning visitor centre as well.

Cley Marshes - Photo credit - Barry Madden

PAWS FOR THOUGHT

It is essential that we all get that little bit closer to nature, not just for ourselves but for our planet. Getting to know different environments, and the human impacts on them will help us all boost global awareness whilst benefiting our own mental wellbeing. It’s simple, the more we rewild the world and protect nature, the more it will look after us. So pack your bags (and wellies), get into the UK’s wetlands and see them for yourself.