Disappearing wetlands
22% of the world's wetlands — 411 million hectares — have been lost since 1970, and a quarter of what remains is in poor condition.
How this affects people
Wetlands filter water, store carbon, buffer floods and droughts, and support a huge share of wildlife.
They are drained for farming and cities, dammed, polluted and increasingly burned in droughts, as seen in the Pantanal.
Look at what keeps the problem going
- 01Drainage for agriculture and building
- 02Dams and water diversion
- 03Pollution
- 04Drought and fire
What could happen next
The future leaves room for choices. Compare the outlooks, check what supports them and notice where the evidence becomes less certain
Losses continue at ~0.5% a year
The annual rate of wetland loss shows no sign of stopping.
The future is not a timetable. These summaries reflect published scenarios and trends, with deeper uncertainty at longer horizons. Choices made now matter.
Where could a useful response begin?
Begin with a question you can investigate. Compare the sources and follow related briefings to see how the problem connects to other lives and places. This prototype does not accept proposals yet.
This preview does not accept proposals or create an account.