Community Action for Freshwater aims to improve global freshwater through community-led projects
EVANSTON, ill., January 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a new strategic partnership, Rotary and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) are launching the “Community Action for Fresh Water” initiative, focused on protecting freshwater ecosystems. In response to growing challenges such as pollution, climate change and habitat degradation, this initiative aims to improve both the conservation and monitoring of freshwater ecosystems globally.
“Partnering with UNEP allows Rotary members to contribute meaningfully to freshwater conservation efforts, starting with the waterways in their own communities,” said the Rotary International president. Gordon McInally. “Through this collaboration, our members will provide local solutions to global challenges, directly impacting the health and sustainability of their communities.
Through this initiative, Rotary will leverage its global network to launch community-based solutions that directly impact freshwater ecosystems and can be implemented at the watershed level. Members will engage in the identification and protection of important local waterbodies, working closely with local stakeholders. Their activities will include organizing cleanup and conservation campaigns, leading water conservation educational initiatives, participating in habitat restoration, and monitoring water quality.
“Freshwater ecosystems are essential to the well-being of our planet, providing crucial services from the stability of biodiversity to the water supply of communities,” said Leticia Carvalho, head of the marine and freshwater branch of UNEP. “This collaboration amplifies our efforts at the local level, combining Rotary’s community presence with our expertise to make a meaningful impact and foster respect for these vital resources.”
Building on the success of the “Adopt a River for Sustainability” pilot program with Rotary District 9212 in Eritrea, Ethiopia, KenyaAnd South Sudan, this strategic partnership highlights the potential to connect community environmental efforts. Rotary’s initial three-year financial commitment to this partnership will fund a range of activities, emphasizing direct action and community involvement.
About Rotary: Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country around the world. Their work improves lives locally and internationally, from helping families in need in their own communities to working towards a polio-free world. Rotary clubs also undertake high-impact environmental projects around the world, with more than 23.7 million US dollars invested by The Rotary Foundation to this end.
About the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP): UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in environmental protection by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
SOURCE Rotary
