This article from the Irish Independent explores how Ireland's view of bogs and peat has changed as the climate crisis intensifies. Bogs are rare habitats globally, but Ireland holds over 10% of the world's total. Peat, formed from decayed bog moss, is rich in carbon. Burning it releases that stored carbon into the atmosphere, worsening global warming. The piece notes that the ESB has stopped burning peat for electricity. Bogs are now being rewetted and conserved as carbon sinks and wildlife habitats. However, the European Commission has referred Ireland to the EU Court of Justice for failing to comply with laws on ongoing peat cutting. The article gives a clear, grounded look at how a traditional fuel source is being reconsidered for climate reasons, and the policy friction that results.
