World Wetlands Day

What are wetlands?

Wetlands (lakes, rivers, lagoons, marshes…) are one of the world's most important ecosystems, essential for protecting our climate, wildlife and the fragile balance of our environment. However, they are rapidly disappearing - 3 times faster than forests - with approximately 35% lost between 1970 and 2015, according to Global Wetland Outlook.

Every 2nd February since 1997, World Wetlands Day raises awareness on protecting wetlands areas (lakes, rivers, lagoons, marshes etc.) in order to save our human and planetary ecosystem.

Why are wetlands important?

A vital part of our natural environment, the world’s wetlands directly or indirectly provide almost all of the world’s consumption of freshwater. More than one billion people depend on them for a livelihood and 40% of the world’s species live and breed in wetlands. They are a vital source for food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower.

Helping the wetlands to perform these essential natural functions means helping the Earth maintain its environment, which is frequently under attack.

 

How can I help protect them?

There are lots of small everyday changes we can make to help protect the world's wetlands.

  1. By buying paper and recycled products made using bleach-free paper.
  2. Always using non-toxic products to clean your house and outdoor green areas. Take special care to not spray garden chemicals when it is raining or windy as these will end up in the wetlands via waterways.
  3. Use phosphate-free laundry and dishwasher detergents. Phosphates encourage algae growth which smothers aquatic life.
  4. Make continued efforts to reuse and recycle your household items and waste.
  5. Don’t litter and always pick up after your pets. All these chemicals and waste eventually end up in the wetlands and pollute them.
  6. Encourage local tree species to grow by planting trees. L’OCCITANE is committed to protecting unique local resources through planting 15 000 almond trees. Since 2002, we have helped reintroduce the species in Provence which nearly disappeared throughout the 20th century
  7. Join community groups or environmental organizations which help protect and restore wetlands.

What does L’OCCITANE do in that respect?

To protect the richness of our lands, we: -Nurture biodiversity -Source sustainably from local communities L’OCCITANE uses natural ingredients in its products: it’s an absolute priority for us to source those ingredients in the right way, and to not damage the biodiversity of our lands.

Our Star Ingredients

Almond

Disappeared from Provence in the 1960s.

We are committed to source from a local producer. We are a member of the Almond Reintroduction Plan (association France Amande). We work with our producer to use greener practices, to plant other species with the trees.

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Lavender

In danger in Provence because of a disease and climate changes.

We are committed to source AOP Lavender from local cooperatives. We are a member of Lavender Protection Plan (association). We work with producers to develop greener practices, to plant other species in the field.

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Immortelle

It was a wild plant- when we started to use a lot of them, we were afraid that the wild picking get too intensive and hurt the Corsican lands.

We worked with producers to plant organic immortelle field. We are committed to source Corsican immortelle flowers from our producers. We work with producers to use greener practices.

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Reotier

It is a natural spring water in a very pure and preserved environment, with many specific plant and animal species around.

We worked with the collectivity and with scientists to define how to source this water without hurting and preserving the biodiversity around.

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