Water People Stories 3

31 March 2024

Here come more Water People Stories from around the world. The first set of stories were published in May 2024. Here are some new and old stories about water from a project about exploring the cultural significance of wetlands and the stories of people and their water. During my travels worldwide, I share the stories of the people I meet, highlighting the importance of water in our daily lives.

I document the normal daily routines and changes and how water crises affect people. By analyzing the connection between people and their water, I aim to draw attention to the cultural significance of rivers and wetlands and the links, or missing connections, to freshwater.

Ultimately, my goal is to help societies understand and transform how they see, value, and impact freshwater in rivers and wetlands.

My personal story is deeply intertwined with water and people. I was born in a former wetland area that has been significantly altered by humans over the course of 2000 years or more. Throughout my career as a scientific researcher, I have focused on freshwater wetlands, tropical floodplains, and their utilization by people. Photography has been a passion of mine, and I have captured landscapes, water, people, wildlife, and plants throughout my life. I hold a PhD in tropical biology and floodplain ecology, and my work has taken me to numerous tropical countries around the globe, always drawn to visit and learn from wetlands. As I reflect on my experiences, I revisit my diaries which document my daily observations, thoughts, conversations, and insights. Over the decades, I have witnessed and recorded the evolving state of our world. I was born in 1965, and in 1986, I realized my dream of travelling to the Amazon as a young biologist. This initial journey was followed by numerous return visits, and I eventually lived there for many years. Although I have now returned to my birthplace in Europe, my connections with friends, colleagues, and individuals grappling with water-related challenges across the world remain strong. Join me as I take you on a journey spanning nearly six decades, delving into the wetlands and the remarkable individuals I have encountered. This project seeks to explore the cultural importance of wetlands and the narratives of the people and their relationship with water.