Reuters Environment Correspondent Deborah Zabrenko recently wrote an interesting article on the consequences of wetland destruction:

The world’s wetlands, threatened by development, dehydration and climate change, could release a planet-warming “carbon bomb” if they are destroyed

In her article (here) Zabrenko reports from the recently-held INTECOL International Wetlands Conference, which took place in Brazil.  Some 700 scientists from 28 nations gathered to consider the issue of wetland protection – and the consequences for us all if their bid fails.

“If all the wetlands on the planet released the carbon they hold, it would contribute powerfully to the climate-warming greenhouse effect” Paulo Teixeira, coordinator of the Pantanal Regional Environment Program in Brazil.

This is a further endorsement of our urgent call to protect wilderness areas – wherever they may be and whatever form they take.    As our Director Graham Game wrote recently, time is running out.