Radolfzell, 28 February 2023: With the awarding of the title "Threatened Lake of the Year 2023" to the South American Lake Titicaca, the Global Nature Fund (GNF) and the Living Lakes network have just drawn attention to the threatening destruction of a unique habitat. Now they are pointing the way out of the crisis of the water ecosystems worldwide in a new project: Within the framework of the "Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project" (LLBCP), GNF and 13 Living Lakes partner organizations from India, Cambodia, Colombia, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Philippines are pursuing ambitious goals for the protection of lakes and wetlands.
Diverse measures for diverse ecosystemsDr. Thomas Schaefer, who is in charge of Living Lakes and Conservation at GNF, explains,
"The idea for this comprehensive project came from several partners at the 15th Living Lakes Conference in Valencia in 2019. Since then, we have exchanged ideas on suitable measures and regions to best coordinate our efforts for biodiversity and climate. LLBCP is as versatile as it is effective: for example, we are creating biodiversity-friendly business models for ecotourism in India's Bhitarkanika National Park and stopping the uncontrolled littering of the waters there. In Malawi, we want to help stop the overfishing of Lake Malawi, our Threatened Lake of the Year 2022, by means of sustainable aquaculture. And in the Philippines, we are installing so-called green filters, i.e. constructed wetlands, in the Paligui wetland, which can be used to specifically treat wastewater from growing cities."
Sustainable environmental education for a livable futureThe project partners have identified three target groups to whom the project's measures will primarily be directed: Lake management officials, farming and fishing communities, and those who make policy decisions. The work will focus on education and training, and will concentrate on one local lake or wetland at a time.
To prevent further destruction of these freshwater ecosystems, the LLBCP project team, which consists of up to 70 people internationally, is developing plans and strategies to address climate change, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and environmentally damaging forms of agriculture and tourism. Of particular importance to the project's work is the involvement of women and young people, as well as members of indigenous cultures in the project areas. A platform for the exchange of information, a pool of experts managed by the project, and various event formats will promote the formation of alliances from the local to the international level.
The United Nations lists the Living Lakes Network and the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project as an official partner of the
UN Sustainable Development Goals Partnership Platform.
Learn more about the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate ProjectBackgroundGNF implements the LLBCP project for the conservation and restoration of lakes and wetlands and the protection of the associated biodiversity funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) within the framework of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). For five years, 13 organizations from 12 countries will work together in this project to achieve the ambitious goals. The project has a volume of nine million euros.
ContactGlobal Nature Fund
Dr. Thomas Schaefer
Head of Living Lakes & Nature Conservation
Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4
D-78315 Radolfzell
Phone: +49 7732 9995 85
E-Mail:
schaefer@globalnature.orgWebsite:
www.globalnature.org