Intensification of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions through wetland conservation: the case of Ethiopian freshwater wetlands

Abstract

Over recent years, Ethiopia has massively engaged in climate change mitigation and adaptation activities so as to reduce the adverse risks of climate change. However, considering the country’s vulnerability, the effort is not diversified and nature-based solutions such as wetland conservation are overlooked. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to assess and evaluate the potential of Ethiopian wetlands as another huge on hand natural solutions in intensifying climate actions, conservation strategies, and other challenges. Recent studies on Ethiopian wetlands have shown a tremendous capacity in capturing and securing atmospheric carbon, however, their conservation is not attracting sufficient attention yet. These ecosystems’ carbon reserve potential and the ultimate role they are playing in regional as well as a global contribution is not well perceived, thereon, overlooked in the nationwide conservation activities to foster climate change adaptation. Hence, we would like to suggest that considering the coverage and potential of our wetlands it should be the go-getting time now to include them in the country’s climate adaptation actions and diversify the efforts through approaches like community-based wetland management.