Peatlands account for only 3% of the land surface. They’re, however, very major carbon ‘sinks’ (locations where carbon can remain for extended periods of times). Peatlands actually contain more carbon than the entire planet’s forests. Unlike forests, however, peat lands have few protections. Only 17% are in protected areas. Peatlands are currently being rapidly drained by farming and mining interests. This releases massive amounts of ‘greenhouse gasses’ . If peatlands were a country, they would now be the 4th biggest polluter (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/13/worlds-largely-unprotected-peatlands-are-ticking-carbon-bomb-warns-study). It seems extraordinary that, given their potential impact on climate change, peat lands are not better protected. Action to protect peatlands, is a very effective way of countering climate change.
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