A recent study identifies agriculture as the primary cause of peatland degradation in Indonesia, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. While logging and mining contribute to the loss, agricultural conversion releases massive amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere, particularly when fire is used for clearing. Researchers highlight that fire creates immediate, high-volume emissions, while drained peat continues to decompose and release gases for decades. The findings suggest that preventing fire and rewetting drained lands are the most effective ways to stop these long-term emissions.
