On the?first?World Lake Day?(27 August), let's be aware of the problems lakes face?and protect them now.

Lakes are one of the most vital natural resources on our planet. They serve as a crucial source of fresh water, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry.

Lakes also play a key role in maintaining biodiversity, offering a habitat for countless species of fish, plants, and wildlife.

Beyond their ecological significance, lakes contribute to climate regulation by keeping the planet cool, absorbing floodwater, and storing carbon.

Additionally, they provide recreational and economic opportunities, attracting tourism, fishing, and other activities that support local communities.

But lakes are affected by a combination of overuse, pollution, and climate change. Lake pollution is frequently caused by inflows from fertilizers, contaminants, and solid waste being dumped directly or flushed into lakes via rivers, and this is worsened by global warming ¨C leading, for instance, to more frequent and intense floods.

The water levels of lakes are also changing dramatically. Rising temperatures and changes to cloud cover, which are leading to decreasing ice cover, are increasing the rate of water evaporation.

Did you know?

  • There are over 117 million. They cover nearly 4 per cent?of the planet's land surface.

  • Although most freshwater is stored in glaciers and underground, lakes contain about 90 per cent?of the world¡¯s surface supply, making them critical sources of readily accessible water.

  • If we continue to put pressure on them, lakes will face a serious decline. By 2050, their ecosystem value could drop by 20%, pollution could more than double, and methane emissions may surge¡ªfueling both environmental damage and economic loss.

  • Freshwater species have declined by 85 per cent?over the past 50 years.

Act now for lakes!?

Dive into the .

Learn about the diversity of lake ecosystems, explore their vital role in human development and planetary health, uncover the threats they face, and??to join the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Environment Programme (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵEP) and??in the?mission to conserve, protect, and restore?them to their former glory.

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