Peat bogs are so wet, and contain so little oxygen, that when plants die and fall into the bog, they’re unable to decompose. That means that all the carbon is kept in the wetland, rather than being released as the organic matter breaks down. But when drained or mined, peat bogs go from being a carbon sink to a carbon source, releasing centuries of carbon into the atmosphere. In this reel, find out what you can do instead as a home gardener. SUBSCRIBE to planet maine at mainepublic.org/planetmain

For generations, peat has been used as a natural fuel in rural Ireland. Cut from the bogs and dried under the sun, it burns with a steady, earthy flame. Beyond its warmth, it carries the scent and spirit of Ireland’s traditional life. | INFO UNIK