![]() But in low-oxygen peatlands, dead plant matter is submerged by water, which prevents it from reacting with oxygen and fully decomposing. In ecosystems like forests and prairies, when a plant dies, the carbon locked in the plant body interacts with oxygen, and the carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Peatland is a type of wetland that is saturated with water year-round and typically found in cooler climates. As we learn more about their unparalleled ability to sequester carbon, it’s becoming increasingly clear that protecting them is critical to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. These boggy expanses are called peatlands. ![]() Despite the unknowns, it’s clear that we cannot simply mine our way out of the complex and multi-faceted problem of climate change.Ībove the bedrock and mineral deposits of northern Minnesota lies a blanket of soggy, ancient, carbon-rich soil. While demand for these so-called “critical minerals” is projected to increase, serious questions about the need for new raw materials and mining’s role in the clean energy transition remain. May 26, 2022, Abby Rogerson, Northeastern Minnesota Program Associate, MCEA Duluth OfficeĪs decarbonization goes mainstream, mining companies are hopping on the bandwagon and increasingly branding their products as critical for the green economy. Peatlands can be classified by their water source: bogs are filled by rainwater, while fens are fed by groundwater. ![]()
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