Caring for Wetlands, an answer to Climate Change

By PURIFICACION S. DALOOS
February 1, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Wetlands once again take center stage as the global community celebrates World Wetlands Day on February 2.

Anchored on the international theme for World Wetlands Day 2010 "Wetlands, Biodiversity, and Climate Change," its focus is on Caring for our wetlands – an answer to climate change. This year’s celebration also takes cognizance of the United Nations’ declaration making 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. It recognizes the likely impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems, and the role of wetlands in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Wetlands are areas of land where water covers the soil – all year or just at certain times of the year. They include swamps, marshes, lakes, lagoons, salt marshes, mudflats, mangroves, coral reefs, fens, and peatlands. Wetlands are an important natural resource of the environment as they provide habitat and breeding grounds for fishes and other marine life, among others.

Regional Executive Director Primitivo C. Galinato Jr. stressed that to celebrate WWD 2010, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in region 8 spearheads several activities through the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service. It shall conduct information, education, communication campaigns to increase public awareness on the importance of wetlands and how climate change may impact wetland ecosystems.

PAWCZMS Regional Technical Director Ricardo T. Tomol informed that Dalaw Turo activities shall be conducted in schools and communities at identified wetland areas  Wetland visit and monitoring of migratory birds in Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte shall also form part of the activities lined up for the celebration.

The tri-media shall also be tapped to help convey the message of World Wetlands Day to the public. A lecture series on Wetlands and Biodiversity shall be sponsored for DENR employees as well as the academe. This will run from February 8-28 at the DENR regional office.

RED Galinato invites the public to visit the DENR regional office where an exhibit on the World Wetlands Day celebration has been set up.