英语课程计划-World Wetlands Day（在线收听）

World Wetlands Day (WWD) occurs on the 2nd of February each year. It marks the date of the signing of the International Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. WWD started in 1997. It aims to raise awareness of the value of wetlands around the world and the unique and important place they have. The 158 nations and territories who signed the convention promised to conserve and protect over 1,782 wetlands, covering an area of over 160 million hectares. The United Kingdom tops the list with 177 protected wetland sites. Each year governments and citizens’ groups carry out all kinds of activities on WWD. These range from nature walks, clean-up days and seminars to new government laws to protect the wetlands.

The world’s wetlands serve an important role in nature. They are all mini eco-systems and contain a huge diversity of animal and plant life. They take the form of ponds, streams, rivers, bogs and swamps. They also serve an important role in the flood defences of an area. Wetlands are like giant sponges and store water from floods. They can protect an area from flooding from storms and high tides. This is coming under threat now with rising sea levels and global warming. Climate change means any wetlands are themselves being flooded or are drying up and disappearing. Wetlands are also a wonderful way to explore nature and see a huge variety of water life, plants, animals and birds. It is vital we protect them.