Do Arctic wetlands and permafrost hold a key to combatting climate change – and preserving traditional livelihoods? This COP26 event takes up why wetlands are important for both and discusses recommendations adopted by the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Reykjavik on 20 May 2021 to strengthen restoration and conservation efforts.
The Arctic regions are much more than frozen (and thawing) tundra. Wetlands ecosystems and permafrost in the Arctic store a stunning amount of global carbon – carbon that is released with temperature rise and careless land exploitation. Wetlands ecosystems provide nesting and feeding areas for migratory birds, spawning areas for aquatic species and offer essential support for many types of traditional livelihoods.
Arctic wetlands are endangered both by warming temperatures and by expanding human activities in the Arctic. Many areas are already damaged, yet restoration and conservation of these wetlands ecosystems can buy time through avoiding or reducing greenhouse emissions, supporting biodiversity and helping maintain traditional livelihoods. Accelerating restoration and conservation actions is a key challenge.
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