Rewet peat bogs as a matter of urgency

Rewet peat bogs as a matter of urgency

Peat bogs are the best carbon sinks on the planet, but many of Scotland's have been drained and turned to other uses, and some continue to be used for planting woodlands, which turns them into net carbon emitters. A study published in Nature last year shows that rewetting peat bogs urgently will result in significant carbon capture (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-15499-z). Restoring wetlands in upland areas also reduces downstream flooding, which has been an increasing problem in recent years. The government should place an immediate injunction on the destruction of any existing peatlands (including for tree planting), and should use any incentives within its power to restore bogs that have been drained.

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