UK’s already depleted peatlands are suffering ever-increasing erosion and climate change, raising the likelihood vast quantities of carbon will be released into the atmosphere, scientists warned in a study presented to the Royal Geographical Society.
With proper conservation, the authors said, the peat bogs could actually help reduce CO2 emissions.
"Peatlands are areas where there is a high water table, and because of this you get low oxygen conditions within the saturated area that prevents organic materials from breaking down," the paper's lead author said.
"If you take the current rate of carbon loss as a result of badly eroded areas and apply this across the whole of the UK's peatlands then you lose about 1.5 million tonnes of carbon each year - that's the worst-case scenario."
Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
This post is the second of a two part series. Read the first installment, Unreported Emissions From Natural Gas Blow Up BC's Climate Action Plan.
Methane leaks from British Columbia's natural gas industry are likely at least 7 times greater than official numbers increasing the entire provinces' carbon footprint by nearly 25%. That's like putting 3 million more vehicles on BC's roads.
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I have a question
If peat stores carbon, does using peat as heating fuel contribute to CO2 levels in the atmosphere? And what about the production of Scotch whisky? I am ready to do my bit to combat global warming: drive less, convert to solar, even go vegetarian. But giving up my Laphroaig might be asking too much!
Bill is a big scotch fan too!
Guilty pleasures . . .
It's a tough one! Maybe I had better lay down a case or two of the good stuff against future shortages. I'll let you know if I find a deal on Ardbeg in bulk.
Guilty pleasures
I'm sure the distilling of fine Scotch will come under the category of conservation. Especially the Islay malts. Just think of the wind power sweeping over the peatlands!