Rivers & Streams
Rivers and streams are flowing freshwater biomes that shape landscapes and support diverse life, including fish, amphibians, and river-dependent mammals like otters and beavers. They transport nutrients from mountains to oceans and differ from lakes in their dynamic, moving water.
A Global Deal For Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets
The Global Deal for Nature (GDN) is a time-bound, science-driven plan to save the diversity and abundance of life on Earth. Pairing the GDN and the Paris Climate Agreement would avoid catastrophic climate change, conserve species, and secure essential ecosystem services. New findings give urgency to this union: Less than half of the terrestrial realm is intact, yet conserving all native ecosystems—coupled with energy transition measures—will be required to remain below a 1.5°C rise in average global temperature. The GDN targets 30% of Earth to be formally protected and an additional 20% designated as climate stabilization areas by 2030 to stay below 1.5°C. We highlight the 67% of terrestrial ecoregions that can meet 30% protection, thereby reducing extinction threats and carbon emissions from natural reservoirs. Freshwater and marine targets included here extend the GDN to all realms and provide a pathway to ensuring a more livable biosphere.
Nature for Water, Nature for Life
This report emphasizes the transformative potential of nature-based solutions in global water management strategies, outlining their cost-effectiveness and broad applicability for over 3,200 cities. These strategies, encompassing protection, restoration, and sustainable management of ecosystems like forests and wetlands, are crucial for enhancing water quality, ensuring water availability, and protecting biodiversity. Despite the proven benefits and substantial investments in restoration projects, the adoption of nature-based solutions remains insufficient. Traditional engineering approaches often overshadow these sustainable practices in water management policies. However, various success stories of large-scale restorations and community-led initiatives underscore the multifaceted benefits of nature-based strategies, advocating for their integration into national water plans for improved water security and overall environmental resilience.