When+bogs+burn,+the+environment+takes+a+hit

When bogs burn, the environment takes a hit ScienceNews Accessed on April 12, 2018 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bogs-peatlands-fire-climate-change?mode=topic&context=60

Summary: We know that one of the main greenhouse gases that pollutes the atmosphere is that of carbon dioxide, and that in the most recent years, and ever since the industrial revolution began, it has exponentially increased throughout the years. This article talks about peatlands, "which include bogs, other swampy wetlands and, yes, Greenland’s icy soil — are ecosystems rich in decayed organic matter." In a generalized explanations, peatlands are ecosystems that are rich in peat, or decayed organic matter. It is important to note that coal is organic matter that has been exposed to high pressure and pretty much fossilization throughout the course of some 300 million years. The main point proposed is that peatlands are highly flammable, since they use dry soil. If there was some stimulus that could possibly start a fire in the peatlands,specifically in Indonesia and possily Greenland, this would end up releasing carbon dioxide stored for thousands of years, which has been dully noted at its peak to release more carbon dioxide each than amassed U.S. economic activity throughout. In addition to this, the burning of peatlands can entirely disrupt ecosystems, and take thousands of years to reconcile back to what it was previously. After many studies conducted by the author, she noticed a correlation between more rainfall continuities showing higher peat contents, and the opposite true. This shows that with lower rain continuities, peatlands are more likely to burn. Finally, studies conducted in Greenland showed that through permafrost thaw, it has the potential to release, and has released a lot of smoke from the burning of peat. In a simple sense, peat in a frozen state is safe, however, when it begins to thaw it starts to release its "dormant flammability" which is very dangerous, and is easily sparked.

Relevance to Course: This is a direct influence to what has been mentioned in class in our most recent textbook reading, being climate change. Climate change is highly attributed to the use of greenhouse gases (Miller 161), and the release of carbon dioxide through theses peatlands are a major cause of pollution in the atmosphere, if it can release stored carbon in the form of carbon dioxide. There is a graph posted on this article which shows the trend of an increase in carbon dioxide produced by Greenland (by metric ton) due to the burning peatlands, and it reaches to exponential increases in the past couple of years, which could point to possible increased rates of warming. Peat (formed in the first stage), although not a coal, is burned in some places but has a low heat content (Miller 378). This is true, but that is because its moisture content is the highest compared to the other stages of coal, but because peatlands are being grown with dry soil, the moisture content is reduced, and the chances of flammability increases. This overall adds an insane amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere which will contribute to ozone thinning in those areas, specifically those of Indonesia and Greenland should this continue which would create a positive feedback loop with this cycle, and have not negative feedback loop to it.

Opinion: If I am being completely honest, this issue is very new to me in this specific matter of peatlands. I have been aware of forest burning, but mainly in the neutral sense. After reading this article and being enlightened on this matter, I have changed my neutrality on this matter. Peatlands need to be protected very carefully even if they only "cover 3 to 5 percent of the earth's surface", they are obviously creating a positive feedback loop with no end, which is terrible for the environment. It contributes to the release of carbon dioxide which will increase the greenhouse effect, and further global warming and climate change. I would support the notion of investing into protection, and to be honest isolation wouldn't even be that bad in my mind. One problem: It was mentioned in the article that there was a boost of 36 percent of peat in the world in the Central Congo Basin, which is being occupied by indigenous people, to which could start a fire. This area is very lush in vegetation and trees and has been rarely explored, so a sudden spark could release huge amounts of carbon dioxide, and destroy this natural resource.

Laws: There have been no specific targeted laws set in place as this issue has been occurring very recently. However, earlier laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, which required very thorough analysis of environmental impact before taking action, is very related to this situation. If peatlands were to turn into commercial areas of camping and other activities, it raises the risk of fires and destruction of ecosystems and the release of huge reservoirs of carbon dioxide. Also the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, in its general consensus, supports the protection of peatlands, as they are highly flammable and can release large amounts of GHGs, to which this act can allow protection, prevention, or cleanup of this. These acts, in their general premise, can help stop the burning of these areas.



(Image of the streets of Palangka Raya, Indonesia, are covered and physically noted to be in the air quality of a recent peatland fire. Sourced by ScienceNews https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bogs-peatlands-fire-climate-change?mode=topic&context=60)