The belief that someone else will save our planet is destroying our planet. Environmental degradation in all sectors is rampantly causing species extinction and fragmentation, henceforth affecting our biodiversity and ecosystem. Biological diversity refers to the variety and variability of living organism (plants, animals and microorganisms) found in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Biodiversity is described at the genetic (variability between and within a species), species and ecosystems levels. Malawi is bio-geographically very varied. The variation has resulted in a wide diversity of terrestrial habitats which, in turn, are home to a huge diversity of terrestrial plants and animals.

About 20% of Malawi?s territory is covered by wetlands which provide a wide range of habitats for aquatic or semi-aquatic biodiversity. There is a wide range of aquatic ecosystems in Malawi, including five lakes (Malawi, Chilwa, Malombe, Chiuta, and Kazuni), numerous rivers (Shire, Bua, Dwangwa, Linthipe, Ruo, Songwe, and the North and the South Rukuru), streams, marshes and swamps, dams and ponds, and temporary pools. These water bodies hold a huge diversity of fish fauna and other aquatic fauna and flora. Lake Malawi, with an estimated 1000 fish species, contains the greatest diversity of fish species in the world. It is home to many endemic fish species.

Wetlands in Malawi, characterised by hydromorphic soils, and grass and sedge growth throughout the year are called dambos. Topographically dambos are usually broad, gentle sloping valleys occurring in the catchment area of Malawi's main rivers. Dambo soils are waterlogged at or near the surface for a large part of the year. These hydromorphic soils have a high watertable and are poorly drained resulting in poor aeration. They vary from coarse sands to heavy clays with a soil reaction ranging from acid to alkaline. Large variations also occur in the nutrient status and the structural stability of dambo soils. Vegetation, grass and sedge, sometimes shrubs or trees, grow even during the driest months of the year.

The World Bank (1987) estimates that dambos form about 12% (259,000 hectares) of the total land area available for cultivation in Malawi. The dambo area comprises about 31,000 hectares (ha) used for grazing (ArupAtkins International Ltd, 1988), 50,000 ha under rice production (Calbro, 1989), 700 small dams (Hunting Technical Services, 1986), and an unknown area used for vegetable growing. Most of the wetland area is uncultivated (approximately 178,000 ha) and possibly surplus land. These areas are too wet to grow crops or graze, and as a result are left to natural vegetation. However, with proper drainage and flood control facilities, wetlands could contribute positively towards national crop and livestock production goals. However, the damage we are doing to the environment is making the world uninhabitable paradise.

Waste management is an ongoing issue throughout Malawi. The country is deprived of an efficient or consistent waste disposal system. Bins are a rarity so waste is often collected on the floor before being transported to rubbish pits. For convenience these pits are situated in unhygienic areas near to markets and even on school grounds. Many Malawians and other throughout the world are ignorant to the true dangers of improper waste management. Littering is common practice leaving streets and public areas lined with rubbish. People simply don't take responsibility for their own waste products. These inhuman behaviour effect our water bodies and marine ecosystem.

The Global Waste Management Outlook report (published in 2015 by UNEP and the International Solid Waste Association) has clearly stated that the world is being overwhelmed by the uncontrolled dumping of waste. The amounts are staggering - over 4 billion tons a year - and less than 20% of this is recycled, mostly in economically advanced countries.  About a third of this is not even collected, but simply dumped into rivers, burnt openly, or onto the streets and byways of townships and cities globally. An unknown quantity leaks into the oceans (ca 8 million tons of plastics a year) jeopardising marine life and marine food stocks. As Eco-Ambassadors we are obligated to walk the talk by taking care of our water bodies and wetlands as these act as habitants for life forms which enhances our biodiversity and ecosystem to bring balance to the planet.