Wednesday 30 May 2007

For hundreds of years, the central and lower parts of the Yangtze river were known as the "Land of a thousand lakes" – but in the 1960s many of the lakes were disconnected from the river by the construction of 7,000 sluice gates. Not only that, but the river was largely canalised and the surrounding wetlands drained for agriculture.

In 1998, monsoons hit the Yangtze, killing 3,000 people, leaving 14 million homeless and causing some £12 billion of damage. Climate change contributed to these monsoons, and current forecasting models show that the Yangtze will suffer more flooding in the future.

WWF will work in China to demonstrate how, by opening the sluice gates in the flood season, water retention capacity will be increased and people living around the Yangtze will be better protected against the effects of climate change. We will also demonstrate the economic and social benefits of harvesting the wetlands to help increase the incomes of thousands of farmers in the area, and we will lobby state and central governments to adopt this practice in at least 50 lake systems.


Between 15 and 20% of the world's carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, and 75% of Brazil's CO₂ emissions, come from tropical deforestation in the Amazon.

The Amazon, as well as being home to the world-renowned rainforest, also supplies most of Brazil's water. Winds blow across the Atlantic, pick up the humidity above the Amazon, hit the Andes, then drop rain across the whole of Brazil.

By keeping the trees standing in the Amazon, CO₂ emissions are reduced and water supplies protected. WWF will focus on establishing financial means to keep the trees standing and have these mechanisms recognised under the Kyoto II agreement.

We will also work on national government policy to ensure that the water falling as rain in the populous south-east of Brazil is better managed, thereby increasing water security for both people and nature.


On a 200km stretch of the Ganges, and at certain times of the year, it's possible to walk from one bank to the other without getting wet. This is mainly due to over-abstraction of water, largely for agricultural use.

In the Upper Ganges, about 95% of water is drawn from the river. This leaves dry stretches further downriver, which has detrimental consequences for millions of people. The effects of climate change are making the issues even worse.

WWF will work with local communities and state governments to increase agricultural efficiency and improve water allocation. We will also focus on the issue of pollution, working with industry to reduce pollution output into the river.


The Thames river basin is among the most developed on the planet. Already in crisis, the basin suffers from over-abstraction, flood risk, pollution and loss of natural resources. Climate change is increasing all these threats.

WWF will work on solutions to help our freshwater systems adapt to the impacts of climate change. We will help restore London's rivers and encourage local charities and community groups to play their part. We will also help build resilience to climate change in the Thames Estuary and become involved in the London Climate Change Partnership. What's more, we will strongly encourage robust implementation of the Thames River Basin Plan which seeks to meet new EU standards for water management, and help establish effective water management and river planning in a changing climate.