Peatlands: A Key to Carbon Storage and Climate Action

Mitra, B. (Speaker)

Human & Environmental modelling

Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation

Description

Peatlands take up just 3% of land but store a huge amount of carbon. When drained or farmed, they release CO2, adding to climate change. Fires, weather shifts, and rising temperatures can turn healthy peatlands from absorbing carbon to releasing it. Protecting and restoring them is key. In the UK, peatlands cover 12% of the land and release as much pollution as millions of cars each year. In Scotland alone, damaged peatlands release nearly 10 million tons of carbon dioxide gas yearly. Fixing them is a big part of the UK’s plan to cut emissions and fight climate change.

Period	21 May 2025
Event title	Pint of Science Festival
Event type	Other
Location	Aberdeen, United KingdomShow on map

Documents & Links

Peatlands take up just 3% of land but store a huge amount of carbon. When drained or farmed, they release CO2, adding to climate change. Fires, weather shifts, and rising temperatures can turn healthy peatlands from absorbing carbon to releasing it. Protecting and restoring them is key. In the UK, peatlands cover 12% of the land and release as much pollution as millions of cars each year. In Scotland alone, damaged peatlands release nearly 10 million tons of carbon dioxide gas yearly. Fixing them is a big part of the UK’s plan to cut emissions and fight climate change.