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Wetland Restoration in the Face of Climate Change
Wetlands include rivers, pans, lakes, oshanas, floodplains, dams, and shallow sea waters, providing a range of benefits for the sustainability of ecosystems - through carbon absorption, flood attenuation, groundwater recharge, water purification, and maintaining soil fertility to name a few.
However, globally water resources are increasingly becoming vulnerable to the effects of climate change and pollution. Therefore, urgent action is needed to protect and restore wetlands to ensure resilience in the face of climate change and avoid negative outcomes.
Namibia acceded to the Ramsar Convention in 1995 which aims to prevent the worldwide loss of wetlands and conserve those that still remain. The country boasts five (5) notable wetlands of national and international importance namely Orange River Mouth, Sandwich Harbour, Walvis Bay Lagoon, Etosha Pan, and Okavango-Bwabwata.
To amplify awareness and mobilize communities on the importance and preservation of freshwater resources, Namibia jointly commemorated World Water Day and World Wetlands Day on the 16th and 17th of March 2023 at the Groot Aub settlement under the national theme “Accelerating change and restoration for water resources through partnerships”.
The theme is relevant to Namibia’s environmental conditions as the country is rich in wetlands biodiversity, and half of the population lives in rural areas and derives their livelihoods from natural resources including wetlands. Namibia has a sustainable production and consumption of water resources resulting in improved access to safe drinking water for human consumption and industrial use however, its sustainability cannot be overemphasized enough.
Groot Aub which is south of Windhoek has water problems as the water demand has exceeded the supply from local water sources (groundwater) to such an extent that boreholes are unable to produce sufficient water. The available water sources are increasingly under pressure from pollution associated with human activities. Studies undertaken show that water around Groot Aub contains substances such as nitrate often associated with animal manure.
Activities
On 16 March 2023, thirty (30) learners (Grades 8 & 7) from Groot //Aub Primary and Senior Secondary school were taken for excursions to Wetlands around Windhoek. Thereafter, the learners were quizzed based on lessons learned from the excursion. The formal commemoration of the event took place on 17 March 2023 at the Groot Aub School Hall where various dignitaries delivered encouraging speeches, while learners performed dramas portraying environmental challenges and their suggested solutions. Included in the dignitaries for the event were UNDP Resident Representative to Namibia, UNESCO Natural Science Programme Officers, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, representatives from the City of Windhoek, and NamWater.
Key Outcomes
To enhance public outreach, various media platforms were utilized to raise awareness of the true value of wetlands, forests, water resources, and sanitation, to gauge the public’s contribution to the management and utilization of these precious resources. These included newspaper articles, radio and TV interviews, and outreach updates on water initiatives such as the Save Water Namibia, and Namibia Water Partnership on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram).
There are increasing calls for young water professionals to develop interests in research, particularly in water-related fields to help determine the resource’s potential for an improved knowledge base, institutional capacity, and enhanced governance to unlock sustainable development of groundwater resources for socio-economic development, water and food security and climate change resilience.
Watch the side event
