COP28: Wetlands needed to save our climate

Wetlands and huge cultural changes are required globally to adapt to reality of climate change and extreme weather events. That was the key message from Meike van Ginneken, Special Water Envoy to the Dutch Government who spoke at the COP28 water pavilion on 8 December.

“Let’s not forget that people experience climate change through water. For the first time in history we, mankind, have pushed the water cycle out of balance. We don’t know what is going to happen.

Technology and engineering is not going to get us there. The water transition that we need goes well beyond the water sector. It was vital for humankind to restore and protect freshwater stocks, such as wetlands, as these are crucial buffers under both drought conditions and at times of fresh water floods due to their ability to store excess rain. Read more.