OUR G L OB A L WOR K FRESHWATER THE CHALLENGE AHEAD Despite their vital importance to societies, economies and all life on Earth, freshwater ecosystems continue to be undervalued. As a result, rivers and wetlands are still degraded and destroyed - an estimated 70% of global wetlands have been lost since 1900, and just a third of the world's longest rivers remain free-flowing. Freshwater biodiversity is also declining rapidly, with wildlife populations falling by 84% on average since 1970. While we're seeing some positive signs of change, we need to make sure the protection and restoration of healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands, which are central to global efforts to tackle the climate and nature crises, get the attention they deserve. WWF.PANDA.ORG/FRESHWATER WWF INTERNATIONAL 2021http://wwf.panda.org/freshwater