May 17, 2022
CPAWS Manitoba Executive Director Ron Thiessen’s letter to the Editor on May 17, 2022.
Re: Peat an efficient carbon sink (Letters, May 13)
I wish to thank Barry Henry for bringing attention to Manitoba’s peatlands, the unsung hero in the fight against global climate change.
Peatlands, often referred to as muskeg or bogs, are a type of wetland. They serve us well by slowing the accelerator pedal on climate change, providing habitat for a wide array of wildlife, diminishing flood risk, and ensuring clean drinking water.
Peatlands punch way above their weight. They store close to a third of the total carbon found in global soils but cover only three per cent of the world’s land base. A fundamental part of the climate solution is keeping carbon in the ground and away from the atmosphere. As Canada holds 25 per cent of the Earth’s peatlands, we have a huge opportunity to be a leader in combating global climate change.
Despite their value, the vast majority of peatlands in Canada are unprotected and many are being harvested or drained. Safeguarding these wetlands in their natural state should be an urgent priority for governments. This includes Manitoba as we are carbon-rich with many expansive peatland networks.
Most of the peatlands in Canada are within the ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples. Commendably, many Indigenous nations in Manitoba are working to establish protected and conserved areas within their traditional lands, which cover tens of thousands of square kilometres.
I strongly encourage our provincial government to embrace the leadership of these Indigenous nations by providing the support they request and by working with them to determine shared responsibilities.
Ron Thiessen, Executive Director, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Manitoba chapter