Carbon-storing powerhouses

Covering only three per cent of the land mass, peatlands — incredibly — store 30 per cent of the terrestrial carbon on the planet. In fact, they store such an incredible amount of carbon that preservation of peat is one of the top 10 solutions for fighting climate change. Countries like the United Kingdom and Indonesia are working to restore their degraded peatlands to boost their carbon absorption.

Canada has vast expanses of peat that, fortunately, have not been disrupted or drained to this day. It is our responsibility to preserve them before it is too late.

Peatlands distribution across Canada 

See Larger PDF Map

Ugly ecological gems

Peatlands are unique wetlands found across the globe, primarily in the northern hemisphere. They are known as bogs, fens, and sometimes marshes or swamps. Composed mainly of dead and decomposing Sphagnum mosses, these waterlogged environments prevent plant matter from fully decaying, leading to the formation of a carbon-rich, soil layer called peat, which can be several metres deep.

Some peatlands have been forming since the last Ice Age, creating complex ecosystems that support a wide variety of plant and animal species, including songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, moose and boreal caribou. They function as vital migratory stopovers, breeding grounds, and staging areas for hundreds of bird species. As part of the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples, peatlands have long held immense social and cultural value. 

Success in keeping carbon stores intact

The Wilderness Committee's advocacy against new peat mines contributed to the 2013 ban on all peat mining inside provincial parks in Manitoba. We've supported and fought alongside countless communities to reveal the true cost of industry-led projects that threaten water quality and nature.

Now, we’re calling on the government to commit to a new protected area goal that legally protects two-thirds of the peatlands in the country by 2030. This must be done in accordance with the wishes of local Indigenous communities that have stewarded these lands and waters for millennia. We’ll continue to advocate for the preservation of 70 per cent of the peatlands in Canada, aligning with demands from other organizations around the world.