Delegates from over 170 countries gathered in Zimbabwe recently to confront the accelerating decline of the world’s wetlands, ecosystems critical to water security, climate regulation, and biodiversity. However, the absence of the United States and Russia’s abrupt withdrawal from the Ramsar Convention cast a shadow over the proceedings, raising concerns about the future of international cooperation in wetland preservation.

Wetlands, which include marshes, peatlands, and floodplains, have diminished by more than 35% since 1970, vanishing at a rate three times faster than forests. Their destruction threatens not only the species that depend on them but also global climate stability, given their unparalleled capacity to store carbon and filter water. Despite the urgency, the talks in Zimbabwe struggled to produce decisive action, hindered by disputes over funding, strategy, and the retreat of two major global players from conservation efforts.

A Convention Under Strain

The Ramsar Convention, established in 1971, is the only global treaty dedicated to wetland conservation, with member nations committing to protect these vital ecosystems. However, the recent conference highlighted growing fractures in the agreement. Russia, a signatory since 1976, announced its withdrawal following disagreements over monitoring wetlands in Ukraine damaged by the ongoing war. The move marked a significant setback for the convention, which relies on collective participation to enforce conservation standards.

Meanwhile, the United States, historically an inconsistent participant in the treaty, opted to skip the talks entirely—the first such absence since the convention’s inception. While the U.S. has never fully ratified the Ramsar agreement, its engagement has been influential in past discussions. Its decision to stay away this time further weakened prospects for unified action, particularly in addressing financial and technical support for developing nations.

Disputes Over Funding and Priorities

A central point of contention during the talks was the allocation of resources to protect and restore wetlands. Developing countries, many of which host critical wetland regions, argued that wealthier nations should provide more funding to support conservation efforts. Wetlands in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia are under increasing pressure from agriculture, urban expansion, and climate change, yet these regions often lack the financial means to implement large-scale protection measures.

Proposals to expand conservation areas and strengthen monitoring mechanisms stalled as delegates debated how to distribute costs and responsibilities. Some wealthier nations resisted calls for increased contributions, citing domestic budget constraints and competing environmental priorities. Without a clear path to secure funding, efforts to curb wetland loss remained uncertain, leaving vulnerable ecosystems at further risk.

The Global Consequences of Wetland Decline

The rapid disappearance of wetlands carries dire implications for both local communities and the planet as a whole. Often referred to as the Earth’s kidneys, wetlands filter pollutants from water, recharge aquifers, and act as natural buffers against floods and droughts. Their degradation exacerbates water scarcity, a growing crisis in many regions. Additionally, wetlands serve as massive carbon sinks, with peatlands alone storing more carbon than all the world’s forests combined. When drained or destroyed, these areas release greenhouse gases, accelerating climate change.

The consequences are already evident in many parts of the world. In Africa, the draining of wetlands for agriculture has reduced water availability for irrigation, threatening food security. In Latin America, coastal wetlands that once shielded communities from storms are eroding, leaving populations more vulnerable to extreme weather. Fisheries that depend on healthy wetland ecosystems are collapsing, and downstream water supplies are becoming increasingly polluted.

The burden of these impacts falls disproportionately on nations that contribute the least to global emissions. Many of the countries most affected by wetland loss lack the infrastructure and resources to adapt, relying instead on international cooperation for support. With major powers stepping back from conservation agreements, the ability of frontline nations to safeguard these ecosystems grows increasingly precarious.

A Fragile Path Forward

Despite the challenges, some progress was made during the talks. Several countries pledged to designate new wetland protected areas, and there were discussions about integrating wetland conservation into broader climate strategies. However, without the full participation of key global players and a concrete plan to address funding gaps, the effectiveness of these measures remains in question.

The withdrawal of Russia and the absence of the U.S. signal a troubling trend of diminishing multilateral engagement in environmental agreements. As geopolitical tensions rise, conservation efforts risk becoming collateral damage, further complicating the fight against biodiversity loss and climate change.

For now, the world’s wetlands continue to disappear at an alarming rate, with downstream communities bearing the immediate costs. The longer global cooperation falters, the harder it becomes to reverse the damage—leaving ecosystems, and the people who depend on them, in increasing peril.