Honor World Wetlands Day

Senate Resolution No. 304 BY: Senator PERSAUD RECOGNIZING February 2, 2019, as World Wetlands Day WHEREAS, New York State understands the importance of preserving and contributing to the maintenance of wetlands, and understands the importance that they play in the cycle of preserving a proper balance in the ecosystem; and WHEREAS, Each year on February 2nd, people across the globe come together to celebrate World Wetlands Day in order to raise awareness about the vital role of wetlands for our planet and its inhabitants; this monumental day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971; and WHEREAS, Climate change is one of the most pressing problems facing humanity and our planet today; Wetlands and Climate Change, the theme to celebrate World Wetlands Day in 2019, draws attention to the vital role of wetlands as a natural solution to cope with climate change; and WHEREAS, Approximately 35% of the world's wetlands were lost between

1970-2015 with annual rates of loss accelerating from 2000; losses have been driven by megatrends such as climate change, population increase; urbanization, particularly of coastal zones and river deltas; and changing consumption patterns which have all fueled changes to land and water use and to agriculture; and WHEREAS, Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with water either permanently or seasonally; wetlands are currently estimated to cover more than 12.1 million km2, an area greater than the country of Greenland; and WHEREAS, Inland wetlands include marshes, ponds, lakes, fens, rivers, floodplains, and swamps; and coastal wetlands include saltwater marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and even coral reefs; fish ponds, rice paddies, and salt pans are human-made wetlands; and WHEREAS, Wetlands are critical to human and planet life; directly or indirectly, they provide almost all of the world's consumption of freshwater, and more than one billion people depend on them for a living and 40% of the world's species live and breed in wetlands; and WHEREAS, Wetlands are a vital source for food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower; they mitigate floods, protect coastlines and build community resilience to disasters, and they play an important role in transport, tourism and the cultural and spiritual well-being of people; and WHEREAS, In 2012, Hurricane Sandy slammed into the eastern seaboard of the United States, and directly impacting New York State inflicting damage in 24 states; if not for coastal wetlands, the destruction would have been worse; a recent study found that coastal wetlands in the Northeast United States prevented $625 million in direct flood damages during Hurricane Sandy, reducing damages by more than 22% in half of the impacted areas and by as much as 30% elsewhere; and WHEREAS, The intensity, frequency, and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes have increased since the early 1980s, making the protection of the 50% of United States wetlands that remain an imperative; and WHEREAS, New York State understands the importance of preserving and contributing to the maintenance of Wetlands, and understands the importance that wetlands play in the cycle of preserving a proper balance in the ecosystem; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to observe those events of true purpose and worthy accomplishment that recognize the need for the understanding of preserving the Wetlands of New York and the global community, and instilling educational tenets in our Great State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize February 2, 2019, as World Wetlands Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations.