Protecting waterways is critical to maintaining a healthy planet. Without clean rivers and watershed areas, our water supply wouldn’t be healthy, biodiversity would decrease, and we couldn’t enjoy several water sports like crew rowing. World Rowing, the international rowing governing body, is teaming up with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for the “Healthy Waters” campaign to raise awareness.
The two are working together to explain waterways’ critical role in nature. Several projects are being carried out to conserve and protect oceans, rivers, and lakes from pollution. Healthy Waters focuses on biodiversity and climate resilience for these bodies of water. World Wildlife Fund has a presence in 100 countries, which they hope will spur local and national political action for waterway health.
“Healthy freshwater and coastal ecosystems are central to enhancing water and food security, reversing nature loss, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and driving sustainable development,“ Vince Gaillard, World Rowing’s executive director, said in a news release.
Rowing federations and athletes are key pieces of the puzzle. They will have access to the Healthy Waters Alliance platform to collaborate with WWF officials on projects.
Photo Courtesy World Rowing
The first project was held in Genoa, Italy, during the 2024 World Rowing Coastal Championship and Beach Sprint Finals. World Rowing, WWF-Italy, Genoa-based non-governmental organization Spazzapnea, and the World Rowing Event Organizing Committee had a Seabed Clean-up. Divers at Bagni San Nazaro picked up debris from the ocean floor. An Italian rowing club also joined Adopt a Beach, another WWF initiative to combat plastic pollution.
“We are excited to be a part of this Alliance with World Rowing, WWF, WWF Italy and started with our clubs’ engagement on the ‘Adopt a Beach initiative,’” Giuseppe Abbagnale, president of the Italian Rowing Federation, said in a statement. “Together, we can inspire and mobilize our clubs and rowers to take concrete steps towards healthier and more resilient water ecosystems to the benefit of our communities.”
World Rowing and WWF have had a Strategic Alliance since 2011 to protect the planet’s freshwater ecosystems. Between these initiatives and Water Wardens by Rowing, another World Rowing water conservation effort, crew rowing has become a sport of climate awareness in addition to endurance.
Video Courtesy World Rowing & WWF – Seabed Cleanup in Genoa
“The Healthy Waters Alliance is about more than just protecting the waters our athletes row on; it’s about leveraging those waters as part of a broader strategy to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future for rowing and the planet,” Gaillard said.
“We are proud of the Genoa Organizing Committee sustainability efforts to go beyond the delivery of a World Championships and leave a legacy to our city, our community, and our Planet,” Stefania Manca, 2024 World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals sustainability manager, said in the news release. “This is perfectly aligned with our 2030 and 2050 Action Plan.”
