The United Nations says the continuous destruction of wetlands around the world is a threat to global water availability. According to the UN, prompt proactive global actions are now needed to stop indiscriminate wetland destruction to avert serious global water availability challenge in coming years.According to the UN, global water need has increased six-fold in the last 100 years and rises by one per cent each year.
UN says, “The world has lost 70 per cent of its natural wetlands over the last 100 years. That has also led to a significant loss of freshwater species.
“We must stop destroying wetlands if we are to have enough water.
“Water and wetlands are inseparably connected and are vital to human life and the health of our planet. Yet, humans use more freshwater than nature can replenish, with devastating consequences for wetlands.”
The UN stressed that the world must unite to restore wetlands, noting that they are not only indispensable for freshwater availability but also crucial for the survival of humanity on earth.
According to the World Health Organisation, over one billion people lack access to safe water supplies worldwide.
Water-associated infectious diseases, WHO said, claim up to 3.2 million lives each year, approximately six percent of all deaths globally.
“The burden of disease from inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene totals 1.8 million deaths and the loss of greater than 75 million healthy life years.
“Each person needs 20 to 50 litres of water free of harmful chemical and microbial contaminants each day for drinking and hygiene.
“It is well established that investments in safe drinking water and improved sanitation show a close correspondence with improvement in human health and economic productivity.
“Freshwater is essential to maintain human health. It is also essential for maintaining many of the ecosystems which provide our food and other essential goods and services,” WHO said.
source: Punch
