99% Invisible

Re:peat

Aug 10, 2022

Emmett FitzGerald, a producer known for his compelling storytelling, returns to share insights on peat bogs' vital role in climate health. He discusses how peat's carbon-storing abilities are overlooked compared to tree planting. The podcast dives into the ecological importance of peatlands, revealing that they often outperform conventional forests in carbon storage. Emmett also explores the cultural significance of bogs and their representation in popular media, connecting science with folklore in a captivating narrative. Prepare to rethink our approach to climate solutions!

40:11

Creator website

Episode guests

Emmett Fitzgerald

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Forests are Great, But They Aren't Great Everywhere

01:09

Bog breathing data is important for tracking and ensuring peatland health.

02:18

Intro

5min

Rethinking Tree Planting: The Hidden Value of Peatlands

22min

Navigating Climate Change and Fitness

4min

The Enigmatic Language and Culture of Bogs

5min

The Enigma of Bogs and Flames

9min

Concluding Acknowledgments and Security Solutions

3min

A few years back, 99pi producer Emmett FitzGerald brought us a beautiful story about peat bogs. Peat is essential for biodiversity and for the climate – it is really, really good at storing carbon. But like a lot of things we cover on the show, peat often goes unnoticed, in part because it is literally out of sight underground. We’ve noticed peat and carbon sequestration more and more in the news lately. Journalists have been brilliantly covering stories about the tree planting movement, private ownership of Scotland’s bogs, and the threat to peat in the Congo Basin. Couple that with more extreme weather happening in more places, we thought it would be a good idea to repeat this story.

For the Love of Peat

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