Drained peatlands are one of the world’s biggest hidden sources of carbon emissions. Although they cover only a small fraction of the Earth’s land surface, when dried out for agriculture or other land use, they release massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This CO₂ accumulates in the atmosphere and fuels climate warming.

There is a way to reverse this effect, though – it’s called rewetting. But it’s a solution and a problem all at once: while restoring humidity stops the CO₂ release, rewetted peatlands emit methane (CH₄).

A choice between long-term and short-term harm

Although methane is also greenhouse gas – and a more potent one than CO₂. However, it lingers in the atmosphere for a much shorter amount of time. A recent study published in Nature Communications explored this equation by weighing the benefits of stopping CO₂ emissions against the short-term methane emissions. The study used global peatland data and climate modeling to test a variety of scenarios, including immediate rewetting, delayed rewetting, and partial restoration.

A conclusion was reached – evidently, the rewetting side effect is worth it! The researchers summed up the findings by claiming that although methane emissions do increase after rewetting, this effect is temporary and fades relatively quickly, while the damage caused by continued CO₂ emissions only worsens over time. And by “over time”, they don’t just mean years. CO₂ stays in the atmosphere for centuries.

Therefore, although methane is much more potent and its levels in the atmosphere may rise in the years following rewetting, the overall climate impact is still better than allowing drained peatlands to keep emitting CO₂ year after year. But there’s another insight there: the rewetting needs to happen sooner rather than later. Delaying it only increases the total climate burden, as every year of continued CO₂ emissions adds to the long-term warming problem.

This study is a powerful reminder that fighting climate change requires real data and real action. And while concerns over methane are valid, they shouldn’t distract us from the bigger picture.

Reference:

Günther, A., Barthelmes, A., Huth, V. et al. Prompt rewetting of drained peatlands reduces

climate warming despite methane emissions. Nat Commun 11, 1644 (2020).