Peatlands being cleared in Indonesia make it the third largest carbon producer in the world after China and the US. Peat moss, which is formed from decaying vegetative matter, traps huge quantities of carbon dioxide. That carbon dioxide is released at an accelerated level when peat is burned.
According to a 2006 Wetlands International study, the peatlands of Indonesia released 1.9 Billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, which amounts to more than US emissions from plane and road travel.
More on the threat of Indonesia’s peat at the Washington Post.
If you want more information about Matthias Gelber’s effort to save the peat swamp forests (guy in the video), visit his site.
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