- Created on
- 27 August 2026
- Theme
- European Atlas of the Seas
Did you know that 27 August is World Lake Day? Lakes are one of the most vital natural resources on our planet. They
- serve as a crucial source of fresh water, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry;
- play a key role in maintaining biodiversity, offering a habitat for countless species of fish, plants, and wildlife;
- contribute to climate regulation by keeping the planet cool, absorbing the floodwater and storing carbon;
- provide recreational and economic opportunities, attracting tourism, fishing, and other activities that support local communities. [1]
But lakes are affected by a combination of overuse, pollution and climate change. World Lake Day commemoration is designed to raise awareness about the importance of lakes, and showcase ways to protect and restore these bodies of water. [2]
Water is also high on the agenda this week as people from around the world are gathering in Stockholm (Sweden) and online from 23 to 27 August 2026 for World Water Week. This year’s theme is ‘Water for People and Progress’ with the objective to work towards a more just and equitable water secure future for all people, especially the most marginalised, against the backdrop of climate change.
At about the same time, governments, scientists, civil society, businesses, Indigenous Peoples and other partners are gathering in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) from 17 to 28 August 2026 at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) under the theme ‘Restoring Land, Restoring Hope’. As Europe faces another summer of extreme heat, water scarcity and drought, the European Union called for global action to make land and water more resilient as drought and desertification intensify. [3]
Connecting to World Lake Day, this week’s Map of the Week focuses on rivers and lakes and river basins. The map combines two map layers. As defined in the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), ‘river basin’ means the area of land from which all surface run-off flows through a sequence of streams, rivers and, possibly, lakes into the sea at a single river mouth, estuary or delta. [4] Have a look at the map to see how rivers connect land areas to the seas and ocean and zoom in the map by clicking on the ‘+’ sign in the toolbar to see the names of the rivers. The map layer on river basins shows the various river drainage basins, grouped according to the sea into which the water drains. Drainage networks and associated drainage basins form complex functional entities important not only for hydrological processes but also for environmental processes at large. Find out where you are on the map. What is the closest river to you? Click on this river on the map and read the information in the window that opens. What is the river basin? Which sea does the water drain into?
Wish to learn more about lakes and water?
- Dive into the Healthy and Productive Lakes Portal;
- Check out the website of the Water Information System for Europe (WISE) to find information about freshwater and marine water;
- Find out about the European Union (EU) Water Resilience Strategy and the launch event of the European Water Academy on 21 September 2026;
- Explore the website of UN-Water, the ‘coordination mechanism’ that coordinates the United Nations’ work on water and sanitation;
- Read about the 2026 United Nations Water Conference that will take place on 8-10 December 2026.
Wish to engage in activities related to the ocean and sustainability? Did you miss the information in our previous Map of the Week on Youth and the Ocean? No worries, here it is again.
- If you are between 16 and 30 years old, join the Youth4Ocean Forum, a community for young people shaping the future of the ocean.
- If you are above 18 years old, participate in the JPI Oceans Photo & Art Awards organised on the occasion of JPI’s 15th anniversary. Artists, photographers and enthusiasts from Europe and beyond are invited to engage with the ocean science they have been coordinating for fifteen years. Have a look at the list of topics covered by the Joint Actions and submit your application by 6 September 2026!
- If you are a teacher, check out the BlueLightS third call for Blue Challenges in European Schools and submit your project before 17:00 CET on 18 September 2026!
- Learn about European Marine Citizen Science Week 2026 which will take place across Europe on 14–20 September 2026.
- Participate in the #EUBeachCleanup 2026 campaign and events.
- Registration for Education for Climate Day 2026 is now open! This year’s flagship event of the Education for Climate Coalition will take place on 22 October. The topic is Fair Green Future: Intergenerational Fairness and Climate Education, and together participants will explore how education can help people of different generations learn from each other and work together for a fairer, greener future. Many inspiring speakers and sessions are planned, bringing together educators, learners, researchers, policymakers and climate education practitioners. Save your spot and join the conversation online!
- There is still time to apply to the Call for Innovative Green Education Actions! The call is open until 6 September 2026 and invites applicants to share practical, creative and participatory projects that bring climate and sustainability education to life. Representatives of the selected projects will receive a fully funded visit to Brussels for the Education for Climate Day on 22 October, where they will join hybrid sessions and meet other participants active in climate education across the European Education Area. Learn more and apply.
The data in the map is provided by the Joint Research Centre (JRC).
The European Atlas of the Seas is powered by the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). Don’t miss the latest news, register for the monthly EMODnet News Digest.
[1] https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-lake-day
[4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02000L0060-20260510