Wetlands lessen the impact of extreme weather events due to climate change; for example:

Healthy wetlands absorb floods, decreasing the incidence and severity of catastrophic flooding.
Coastal wetlands protect ecosystems and communities from storm and sea-level rise.
Wetlands are crucial freshwater reservoirs in regions where climate change increases drought.

These responses are very often more sustainable and cost-effective than traditional engineering approaches.

MIGRATION
Improved wetlands management is a means of naturally combating the onset of climate change.

The significant current emissions of CO2 from increasing areas of unsustainably managed wetlands must be curtailed.

Rehabilitation of wetlands can significantly mitigate CO2 emissions from existing degraded wetlands.

Interesting facts about wetlands and carbon storage: Wetlands only cover about 6 % of the Earth´s surface, but contain about 35 % of global terrestrial carbon.

Investments in reducing carbon emissions from wetlands can be up to 100 times more cost effective than for other mitigation options.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Keep the carbon storage in wetlands where it is.
Rehabilitate wetlands to reduce carbon emissions and restore biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.
Raise awareness of water-wetlands-biodiversity linkages.
Engage the full range of public and private sector stakeholders and promote multi-convention cooperation.
Provide positive incentives for sustainable wetland management. Engineer responses to climate change with nature.

PROCEDURE

Observe the poster and notice how biodiversity and water availability can help to reduce the effects of climate change.
Write down some ideas from the poster with reference to the importance of wetlands to MITIGATE the climate change and ADAPTATE to the climate change.
Answer the following questions:

Which are the solutions marked in the poster?
Do you agree with them?
Do you know some wetlands near your community? Are they well preserved?
If you were a citizen what would you do about protecting wetlands?