Why is the issue of the preservation of our biodiversity and its connection with a sustainable water resource management so crucial for the future of Europe

Across Europe, young people from different countries and backgrounds are committed to directly improving the lives of their communities. Every day, they notice the changes in the direct environment in which they live: the extinction of certain species, the scarcity of natural areas, the pollution and degradation of the air they breathe, the disappearance of certain wetlands, and more generally the mutations in the landscapes which constitute their living environments.

These observations are today confirmed by all the scientific reports and analyzes which reveal to us the importance of the challenge we face:

  • Out of eight million species in the world, one million are now threatened with extinction. More than half of Europe’s endemic trees, and around a fifth of amphibians and reptiles are in danger, as are certain mammals (polar fox, seal, whale and polar bear) and pollinators (bees and butterflies).
  • 14% of living habitats, including rivers and coral reefs, are suffering from global warming.
  • 49% of agricultural land in Europe was hit by drought in 2023, representing a significant threat to global and European food security. Irrigated agriculture represents 20% of the total area of ​​cultivated land and provides 40% of global food production.
  • Current estimates show a relatively large amplitude of sea level rise of between 0.43 m to 2.5 meters by 2100, amplifying coastal erosion and increasing coastal risks, with direct consequences on housing and recreation.
  • The European Commission estimated in 2023 that 80% of natural habitats in the European Union were in a “poor or mediocre” state of conservation, with an impact on all ecosystems: meadows, forests, coasts, but also rivers, lakes and marine spaces.

Due to the immediate consequences of these extreme events for the affected populations and environments, our societies today find themselves all concerned by this challenge which is that of the sustainable management of water resources and its impact on biodiversity.

Indeed, water and biodiversity are closely linked, and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems is essential to maintain species diversity. Inseparable, the links between water and biodiversity are manifested through:

  • Aquatic habitats and aquatic ecosystems such as oceans, rivers, lakes, marshes and estuaries, which support a wide diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms. These habitats provide ecological niches for many species, thereby contributing to overall biodiversity.
  • Food resources: Water is an essential element for the survival of many animal and plant species. Aquatic organisms provide a food source for many other species, both in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
  • The water cycle: The water cycle, which involves evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff, is essential for maintaining terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This cycle ensures the availability of fresh water necessary for life on earth and contributes to climate regulation.
  • Water purification: Aquatic ecosystems play a crucial role in the treatment of pollutants and waste. Aquatic plants and micro-organisms help break down harmful substances, thereby purifying the water for other living organisms. Biodiversity in these ecosystems is therefore vital to maintain water quality.
  • Ecosystem services: Aquatic ecosystems provide a multitude of essential ecosystem services, such as climate regulation, the provision of drinking water, flood regulation, coastal protection against erosion, and the promotion of tourism and recreation. Healthy biodiversity in these ecosystems is necessary to ensure the resilience and sustainability of these services.

It is therefore the way in which we live and interact with the world around us that is profoundly affected today: the way we consume and eat, our quality of life, our landscapes as well as our leisure activities. The preservation of biodiversity largely depends on the sustainable management of water resources and the attention paid to our environment.

From declaration, it is necessary to take action.

This is how the 16th European Youth Parliament for Water will be dedicated to the theme of Water and biodiversity. Its objective is to enable European youth to strengthen their knowledge of the Water-Biodiversity nexus and to arrive at concrete commitments, which can be translated into the communities from which the mobilized young people come.

It will particularly raise awareness among young people of the intrinsic links between the defense of biodiversity and sustainable management of water resources and will promote among all the delegations the culture of dialogue.

The defense of biodiversity will be approached as a common issue whose responsibility is of everyone, a challenge which cannot be met without the inclusion and participation of citizens in all their diversity.

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