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World Wetlands Day celebrates the positive impact these special ecosytems have on our planet, particularly their role in mitigating natural disasters.
However, our experts argue that although wetlands play a significant role, it would be dangerous to consider them a perfect remedy to drought, tsunamis, climate change or floods. Other options such as infrastructure development, smart urban and rural planning, and new technology should always be part of the picture.
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Globally the frequency of natural disasters has more than doubled over the past 35 years.
CGIAR/Challenge food and water programme
Matthew McCartney, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research; Max Finlayson, Charles Sturt University
Wetlands management is vital but sweeping statements about their universal value may do more harm than good.
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Health + Medicine
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Michael Gillings, Macquarie University
Unless we do something about about antibiotic pollution in the world's waterways, the next trip you take to the coast for a seafood dinner just might be your last.
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Environment + Energy
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Ariana López Peña, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica
Environmental sustainability has a role in increasing national well-being.
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Adrian Wood, University of Huddersfield
Reflections on World Wetland Day on how this precious resource can be used sustainably to reduce rural poverty, improve food security and strengthen livelihood in the face of climate change.
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Politics + Society
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Abdul-Jalilu Ateku, University of Nottingham
Regional power Ecowas, which has just seen off yet another dictator in Yahya Jammeh, started off with a tame agenda 42 years ago. But it was soon shaped by civil wars, military coups and despots
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Science + Technology
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Martin Pera, University of Melbourne; Megan Munsie, University of Melbourne
Human-animal hybrids - or 'chimeras' - might sound strange, but they offer great hope for new life saving therapies, as long as key ethical boundaries are respected.
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