Environmental Science
Why peatland drainage accelerates carbon dioxide emissions
Quick fact
When peatlands are drained, they can release up to 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare per year—equivalent to the annual emissions of about six cars.
Why this is interesting
Did you know that draining a swamp can turn it from a giant carbon sponge into a carbon emitter? Peatlands store twice as much carbon as all the world's forests combined—so why does draining them release that carbon as CO2?