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Tag: peat
Colossal peat bog discovered in Congo
2014-05-27 06:07:00| Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed
BBC: A vast peatland has been discovered in a remote part of Congo-Brazzaville. The bog covers an area the size of England and is thought to contain billions of tonnes of peat. Scientists say investigating the carbon-rich material could shed light on 10,000 years of environmental change in this little-studied region. Dr Simon Lewis, from the University of Leeds, said: "It's remarkable that there are parts of the planet that are still uncharted territory." He added: "Few people venture into...
Tags: discovered
congo
bog
peat
Converting Peat Swamp to Palm Oil Plantations Contributes to Climate Change
2014-04-15 07:19:00| Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed
Environmental Leader: Converting peat swamp forests in Southeast Asia into industrial oil palm and pulpwood plantations releases emissions, threatens biodiversity and ultimately accelerates climate change, according to a guest column by a Princeton professor and PhD candidate at the university. As trees are stripped from peat swamp to make room for oil palm plantations, the peat is drained and the decomposition releases a large amount of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, David Wilcove, professor of public affairs...
Indonesia's proposed peat law too weak protect peatlands, stop haze, says Greenpeace
2014-03-14 21:53:00| Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed
Mongabay: A new regulation aiming to protect peatlands is likely to fall short of its goals, failing to stop peat degradation, emissions, and fires that are driving the current haze crisis in Southeast Asia, asserts a new analysis from Greenpeace. The paper, published on Wednesday, argues that the new land regulation currently being discussed in parliament fails to take a holistic view of managing peatlands. For example, the regulation doesn't adequately protect shallow peat areas that may be connected...
Tags: law
stop
proposed
protect
Restoring peat bogs to prevent floods
2014-03-07 14:24:00| Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed
BBC: Roger Harrabin looks how the Exmoor peat bogs are being restored to their natural state to help soak up water - preventing it running off into rivers and causing flooding further downstream. He talks to Professor Richard Brazier from Exeter University about the process.
Tags: prevent
restoring
floods
peat
'Use less peat' call to UK gardeners
2014-01-17 10:44:00| Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed
BBC: Britain's gardeners are still using too much peat compost, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). More than half of the compost sold in the UK contains peat. This is harmful because it leads to further depletion of peat bogs in countries such as Ireland and the Baltic states, which supply most of our peat, says the RHS. It suggests using alternatives such as coir, made from coconut shells, and green waste from household recycling. Dr Paul Alexander from the RHS said: "We...