Lawmakers move to extend historic ban protecting vital landscapes: 'Our peatlands are this country's Amazon'
The peatlands in the United Kingdom cover over 12% of the country. They are so essential that they have been called the country's lungs. This is because peatlands have an incredible ability to store carbon. They also prevent flooding and increase biodiversity.
For these reasons, the UK government has proposed extending a ban on burning peatlands. The proposal would increase the protected areas from 220,000 hectares to 368,000 hectares, covering over half of the country.
Historically, peatlands have been burned to encourage new growth, which is important to game bird hunters. But the burning comes with a host of environmental risks. Perhaps most significantly, it releases stored carbon. It also increases the risk of wildfires and destroys the habitat of endangered species, including rare bog-mosses and dragonflies.
Proponents of the ban tout its many environmental benefits. Extending and expanding the ban would protect animal habitats, decrease carbon pollution, and improve air and water quality.
Laws and regulations like this that are specifically designed to protect the environment are one essential way humans can help preserve our ecosystems. But governments also need oversight and mechanisms to enforce them, so they can ensure they pay dividends.
And they do pay dividends. For instance, California introduced strict legislation regarding chemical exposure in 1986. A recent study found that Californians had lower levels of 18 different cancer-causing chemicals in their bodies than people living in the rest of the country.
Another regulation the United States government recently announced is that it would no longer accept fish imports that do not meet standards intended to protect whales, dolphins, and other marine life. This will hopefully have a major impact on protecting our oceans' diverse ecosystems.
The lawmakers backing the burning-ban proposal didn't mince words when describing the importance of the peatlands. "Our peatlands are this country's Amazon rainforest — home to our most precious wildlife, storing carbon, and reducing flooding risk," said Nature Minister Mary Creagh. Environmentalist Guy Shrubsole agreed: "This is excellent news and will come as a relief to the residents … who have had to breathe in the acrid smoke from moorland burning for far too long — and suffer the flooding that this ecologically destructive practice exacerbates."
Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty?
Definitely
Only in some areas
No way
I'm not sure
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dems reject Newsom's cuts to healthcare for undocumented immigrants
Nearly a month after Governor Gavin Newsom proposed pausing the expansion of publicly funded healthcare for undocumented Californians, Democratic lawmakers are drawing a line in the sand. This week, legislative leaders in both the Assembly and Senate advanced a new budget proposal that pushes back against some of the governor's most controversial cuts. At the heart of the disagreement is Newsom's plan to pause the 2026 Medi-Cal expansion for low-income undocumented residents and require the 1.6 million undocumented Californians already enrolled to begin paying $100 monthly premiums. Citing the state's projected $12 billion deficit, Newsom has said these proposals are difficult but necessary. 'There are investments we're making we cannot continue to make,' Newsom said during his budget presentation last month. But state Senate Budget Committee Chair Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) assured the public this week, 'No one is going to be kicked off healthcare.' Wiener argued that undocumented Californians – who work, pay taxes, and have deep roots in their communities – deserve continued access to Medi-Cal coverage. The Democrats' budget plan would delay the Medi-Cal pause until summer 2027 and reduce proposed premiums from $100 per month to $30. Senator Akilah Weber-Pierson (D-San Diego) emphasized that maintaining coverage was a promise California made: 'We are not disenrolling anyone from Medi-Cal.' Republicans, however, have raised concerns about cost. Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) warned that healthcare spending for undocumented individuals – estimated at $10 to $12 billion – is unsustainable. 'We have to figure out how to make that work better… this is the second runaway train,' Seyarto said, making a passing reference to the state's unfinished high-speed rail project. To help close the budget gap, some Democrats are now discussing the possibility of raising taxes on large corporations. Senators Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) and Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) said it's time to consider taxing the wealthiest businesses rather than cutting services for vulnerable populations. 'If corporations are getting huge tax breaks at the federal level, we need to start talking about taxing them at the state level,' Pérez said. Still, Republicans insist spending reforms should come first. Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) dismissed the idea of a tax hike, saying, 'That's not a viable solution. Clearly it is a spending problem.' The legislature and governor have until June 15 to finalize and pass a budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Epoch Times
7 hours ago
- Epoch Times
Newsom Urges Californians to ‘Take Peaceful Action' Against Trump's Orders
With the Los Angeles immigration enforcement protests and riots still ongoing and downtown federal buildings remaining closed, Gov. Gavin Newsom urged Californians to 'take peaceful action' against President Donald Trump's orders. Newsom
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Newsom Rallies Californians to Stand Up Against Trump's ‘Assault on Democracy'
Newsom Rallies Californians to Stand Up Against Trump's 'Assault on Democracy' originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Governor Gavin Newsom gave his first address on Tuesday night following five days of ongoing protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles, where he accused President Donald Trump of 'fanning the flames' of the protests by sending in the National Guard, turning the protest violent by nightfall.'He again chose escalation. He chose more force. He chose theatrics over public safety,' said Newsom. 'He federalized another 2,000 guard members. He deployed more than 700 active US Marines.'Newsom said that the initial protests were standard, as Angelenos exercised their right to free speech and assembly to protest, and police were sent out to maintain the peace. It wasn't until the president deployed 2,000 of California's National Guard soldiers to the streets of Los Angeles 'illegally and for no reason.' 'What then ensued was a use of tear gas, flashbang grenades, rubber bullets, federal agents detaining people and undermining their due process rights,' said Newsom. 'This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers and even our National Guard at risk.'The governor's address went further than what's going on in Los Angeles. He warned people that this will not end with California, he said that this is an attack on democracy, the way 'authoritarian regimes begin.''This moment we have feared has arrived. He's taking a wrecking ball to our Founding Fathers' historic project,' said Newsom. 'The most important office is the office of the citizen. At this moment, we all need to stand up and be held to a higher level of accountability.'White House assistant to the president and director of communications Steven Cheung responded to Newsom's address with a post on X, saying that the governor should have used his time to do his job instead of preparing for a 'webinar.' He also compared the faulty audio quality to the quality of Newsom's leadership. The governor's office has not responded to this statement from ended his address advising Californians, if they do exercise their First Amendment right, to do so peacefully.'I know many of you are feeling deep anxiety, stress and fear. But I want you to know that you are the antidote to that fear and that anxiety,' said Newsom. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.