Wetlands cover just 6% of the Earth's land surface but store 20-35% of all land-based carbon. Peatlands alone hold more carbon than all the world's forests combined. Despite this, the world has lost around 35% of its wetlands since 1970, a faster rate than any other ecosystem. When drained, peatlands emit roughly 2 billion tonnes of CO2 annually, about 5% of global human-caused emissions. This article from The Independent Uganda argues that wetlands are not peripheral ecosystems but frontline climate infrastructure that we are dismantling at an alarming rate. The piece also covers the role of wetlands as critical stopover points for migratory birds along global flyways. Climate change is disrupting these habitats through both drought and extreme rainfall, breaking the chain of wetlands that birds depend on for rest and food during migrations spanning thousands of kilometres. The author makes the case that wetland conservation is not just a biodiversity issue but a climate imperative that deserves equal urgency alongside emissions reduction efforts.
