Climate Change and Land Use

The way we manage land can have an effect on climate change. British peat bogs, such as those found in the Peak District, can store carbon equivalent to about 20 years' worth of national industrial emissions. It is estimated that globally, peat stores twice as much carbon as forests, and the UK contains about 15% of the world's peatlands. But damage in some regions mean bogs are drying out, releasing carbon into the atmosphere.

Healthy peat absorbs and stores carbon; but as it degrades, the carbon is released, ending up in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. In Britain, particularly England, peat has been badly affected by drainage - which has allowed bogs to dry out - burning, overgrazing and industrial pollution. The National Trust believes this may be contributing significant quantities of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere - but says the exact amount is not known.

The Trust is advising landowners to protect bogs by blocking gullies to raise water levels, reducing grazing, preventing fires and managing local tourism.