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

A woman and her children in an Irish peat bog 1900 involved in the traditional practice of harvesting peat (also known as "turf") for fuel. This activity has been a significant part of Irish rural life for centuries due to the country's extensive peatlands. Peatlands cover a significant portion of Ireland's landscape and have historically been viewed through the lens of poverty and hardship, valued primarily for providing fuel to less affluent communities. The harvesting process often involved e