A new global report warns that widespread wetland loss could result in economic damages reaching US$39 trillion by 2050 if no action is taken. The findings highlight the critical importance of wetlands, which are among the world’s most productive ecosystems, in controlling floods, filtering water, storing carbon, and supporting biodiversity.
What Wetlands Do Actually?
Wetlands include marshes, swamps, peatlands, mangroves, and floodplains. They act as natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and reducing flood risks. They also filter pollutants, support agriculture, and provide critical habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife.
Moreover, wetlands are essential for climate regulation. They store more carbon than forests by trapping it in waterlogged soils. The destruction of wetlands releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming.
Policymakers and planners often ignore and undervalue the immense economic benefits these services provide when designing infrastructure
$39 Trillion in Losses – What’s at Stake?
The US$39 trillion figure includes projected costs linked to increased flooding, water treatment, biodiversity loss, and climate impacts from greenhouse gas emissions. That amount is more than the combined annual GDP of China and Japan.
The researchers warn that without urgent action to conserve, restore, and manage wetland areas, many regions will face severe consequences especially in low-lying and coastal countries. Rapid development and weak environmental safeguards are already setting the stage for severe financial consequences in Asia and Africa
Agriculture and Industry Driving Destruction
Much of the damage comes from agriculture, dam construction, and real estate development, which drain or fill in wetlands to create farmland or build infrastructure. Polluted runoff from fertilizers and sewage also degrades water quality and disrupts natural processes.
Despite global awareness campaigns and protections under the Ramsar Convention, wetland loss continues at an alarming pace estimated at three times faster than forests over the past century.
What Needs to Be Done to Prevent Further Loss
Environmental groups and scientists are urging countries to empower wetland protections, invest in nature-based solutions, and incorporate the true value of ecosystem services into national accounting and planning systems.
Restoration efforts, such as re-flooding drained wetlands, protecting peatlands, and planting native vegetation, can recover lost biodiversity and reduce disaster risk.
The report also recommends involving local communities in conservation, offering incentives for sustainable land use, and enforcing stricter penalties for illegal destruction.
If the world continues on its current path, the combined ecological and financial cost will be nearly impossible to reverse. Immediate international cooperation and swift policy reform can still prevent much of this loss.
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