According to Van Giersbergen, the problem lies in the way the landscape has changed over the past century. “In the past, hundreds of years ago, this was a swamp area. Also known as a peat area, where plants constantly died, became submerged, so that they did not become airborne but remained stored and a thick layer of peat was formed, but because we started to drain it to grow grasslands on it, a major source of emissions has arisen.”
Through dewatering, peat comes into contact with oxygen. The peat then oxidizes, releasing greenhouse gases. “That air is not harmful to people. But from a climate perspective it is extremely relevant. The emissions from these types of areas really add up when it comes to climate emissions.”
Emissions must be reduced, preferably to zero. And for this, water is essential. Raising the water level can stop peat degradation and greatly reduce emissions.
At the same time, rewetting does not have to mean that agriculture becomes impossible. Wet cultivation can be an alternative. “Many people think that rewetting means the end of agriculture,” says Van Giersbergen. “But you can grow crops on wet peat that are used for insulation material, such as reed. You don’t have to choose between economy and climate.”
