Theme: “Our Power, Our Planet”

Today, on World Earth Day 2025, we join the global community in celebrating the power we hold—collectively and individually—to safeguard our shared home: Earth. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet”, speaks directly to the responsibility and opportunity we have to harness innovation, knowledge, and collaboration in protecting our planet’s life-support systems. At the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL), we take this message to heart, and into action.

Wetlands are among the most productive and vital ecosystems on Earth. They regulate water cycles, support biodiversity, sustain livelihoods, and act as natural buffers against climate impacts. Yet, wetlands remain some of the most threatened ecosystems due to land degradation, climate change, and human encroachment.

In response, SASSCAL proudly leads the WeMAST (Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment) project—an initiative that exemplifies the power of science and technology in environmental stewardship. Supported by the African Union and the European Union under the GMES and Africa programme, WeMAST leverages the transformative potential of remote sensing and geospatial technologies to map, monitor, and assess wetlands across the Southern African region.

By integrating satellite data, ground observations, and advanced analytics, WeMAST empowers decision-makers with accurate, timely, and actionable insights. These tools enable better planning, early warning systems, and sustainable land and water resource management practices—crucial steps in adapting to and mitigating climate change.

On this Earth Day, we reaffirm our commitment to using science as a catalyst for resilience and restoration. Our power lies in knowledge, in partnership, and in innovation. Through projects like WeMAST, we can protect our wetlands, support our communities, and preserve the planet for generations to come.

Let us continue to transform our power into purposeful action—for our wetlands, our people, and our planet.

Dr. Budzanani Tacheba
Interim Executive Director
Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL)