Peatlands, with their carbon-rich soils, play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, supporting biodiversity, and improving water quality. However, centuries of drainage, agriculture, forestry, and peat extraction have severely degraded these ecosystems. It is essential to protect and restore them to preserve their carbon storage capacity. Unfortunately, 80% of UK peatlands have already been modified and drained, highlighting the urgent need for action.
These unique landscapes, characterised by their carbon-rich soils , are not just a much-loved part of our environment; they are essential in mitigating climate change , bolstering biodiversity, and improving water quality . But first, we must protect and restore them. Over the past centuries, drainage, agriculture, forestry, and peat extraction have significantly degraded these fragile and important ecosystems.
Despite the excellent work of programmes like Peatland Action in Scotland and the Nature For Climate Fund in England, the cost of restoring peat on a national scale is too prohibitive to be met by public funds alone. According to the Office for National Statistics, fully restoring the UK’s degraded peatlands could cost between £8bn-£22bn over the next 100 years. However, the benefits far outweigh the costs, with potential savings of £109bn in reduced carbon emissions.
Peatlands Carbon-Rich Soils Climate Change Biodiversity Water Quality Restoration Protection Carbon Storage Degradation UK
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US support for Israel depends on protecting civilians, Biden warns in stinging rebukeThe US President warned that Israel must take 'specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm'
Read more »
Nesting is hell dressed up as ‘protecting children’ – it made my divorce 100 times worseWhen nesting arrangements are abused, the house is no longer a place of safety, says one writer
Read more »
Liz Truss accuses Labour of 'putting ideology above protecting children' after MPs filibuster to...Liz Truss had hoped the Commons would debate her backbench legislation to stop transgender women using female changing rooms and toilets.
Read more »
Liz Truss accuses Labour of 'putting ideology above protecting children' after MPs filibuster to...Liz Truss had hoped the Commons would debate her backbench legislation to stop transgender women using female changing rooms and toilets.
Read more »
Research reveals DNA-protecting gene's crucial role in brain disordersUniversity of Adelaide researchers now know more about a mysterious gene's role in maintaining healthy DNA—a crucial development that could lead to new treatments for life-threatening illnesses including neurodevelopmental disorders, some types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Read more »
Protecting distributed branch office environments from ransomwareAs ransomware becomes more sophisticated, detection tools should be upgraded to cover every site and location
Read more »