Assembly Resolution No. 522

BY: M. of A. Williams

RECOGNIZING February 2, 2022, as World Wetlands
Day

WHEREAS, New York State understands the importance of preserving and
contributing to the maintenance of wetlands, and understands the
importance that they play in the cycle of preserving a proper balance in
the ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, Each year on February 2nd, people across the globe come
together to celebrate World Wetlands Day in order to raise awareness
about the vital role of wetlands for our planet and its inhabitants;
this monumental day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on
Wetlands on February 2, 1971; and

WHEREAS, Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future, the theme to
celebrate World Wetlands Day in 2021, emphasizes the fact that urban
wetlands make cities livable in many important ways; and

WHEREAS, Wetlands are land areas that are saturated or flooded with
water either permanently or seasonally; wetlands are currently estimated
to cover more than 12.1 million km2, an area greater than the country of
Greenland; and

WHEREAS, Inland wetlands include marshes, ponds, lakes, fens,
rivers, floodplains, and swamps; and coastal wetlands include saltwater
marshes, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and even coral reefs; fish ponds,
rice paddies, and salt pans are human-made wetlands; and

WHEREAS, Wetlands are critical to human and planet life; directly or
indirectly, they provide almost all of the world's consumption of
freshwater, and more than one billion people depend on them for a living
and 40% of the world's species live and breed in wetlands; and

WHEREAS, Wetlands are a vital source for food, raw materials,
genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower; they mitigate floods,
protect coastlines and build community resilience to disasters, and they
play an important role in transport, tourism and the cultural and
spiritual well-being of people; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, Hurricane Sandy slammed into the eastern seaboard
of the United States, directly impacting New York State and inflicting
damage in 24 states; if not for coastal wetlands, the destruction would
have been worse; a recent study found that coastal wetlands in the
Northeast United States prevented $625 million in direct flood damages
during Hurricane Sandy, reducing damages by more than 22% in half of the
impacted areas and by as much as 30% elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, The intensity, frequency, and duration of North Atlantic
hurricanes have increased since the early 1980s, making the protection
of the 50% of United States wetlands that remain an imperative; and

WHEREAS, New York State understands the importance of preserving and
contributing to the maintenance of Wetlands, and understands the

importance that wetlands play in the cycle of preserving a proper
balance in the ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to observe those
events of true purpose and worthy accomplishment that recognize the need
for the understanding of preserving the Wetlands of New York and the
global community, and instilling educational tenets in our Great State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize February 2, 2022, as World Wetlands Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United
Nations.