Latest news with #peat
New York Times
7 days ago
- Science
- New York Times
North Carolina's Bogs Have a Dirty Secret, and That's a Good Thing
Depending on how it's treated, this North Carolina soil can be a blessing or a curse. In its natural state, the soggy, spongy soil known as peat stores exceptional amounts of planet-warming carbon. Peatlands cover only about 3 percent of land on Earth, but they sock away twice as much carbon as all the world's forests put together. They also offer protection from wildfires, floods and drought, and support rare species. But decades ago, in peatlands across North Carolina, people dug ditches to drain the waterlogged earth, often to fell old-growth trees or plant new ones for timber. As peat dries, its virtues turn upside down. The soil itself becomes highly flammable. Even without burning, drained peat starts to emit the carbon it once stored, converting a climate solution into a climate problem. The land no longer soaks up floodwaters. And in times of drought, there's little water for the ecosystem to fall back on. Now, nonprofit, state, federal and private sector scientists and engineers have teamed up on what amounts to a series of giant plumbing projects. They are coaxing water to stay on the land to restore moisture to the peat. Tell Us About Solutions Where You Live Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Forbes
17-07-2025
- General
- Forbes
Peated Scotch Whisky At Risk Of Ban Within Five Years, Expert Warns
Are your favourite smoky whiskies living on borrowed time? Mark Littler LTD "Peated whisky is absolutely at risk of being banned. There's a significant risk within the next five years, and a high risk within ten years. As climate pressures intensify, politicians may see peat use for flavoring alcohol as an easy target," said Alastair Collier from A Healthier Earth. It's a bold statement. But the numbers speak for themselves. Peat in the UK stores the equivalent of 20 years of all UK CO2 emissions. To put peatlands in context of other more traditional carbon sinks, the peatland in the UK stores the same amount of carbon as the forests of the UK, France, and Germany combined . These figures have led the UK government to ban peat usage in other industries. So why is it still being used to flavour a drink? Peat has been a part of scotch whisky heritage since the birth of the industry. It is used to dry the malted barley, and in doing so adds depth of flavour to one of the world's favourite spirits. It's not just a few minor whiskies either; Johnnie Walker, the biggest internationally sold whisky in the world, is renowned for its layers of sweetness and smoke. Up until the recent bans the scotch whisky industry has accounted for just 1% of peat usage in the UK. But that figure is expected to rise to around 40% over the next three years as further bans are introduced in other industries. Scotch's usage won't increase, but its share of total usage will grow significantly. Peat smoke is used to dry the malted barley. It gives the whisky a distinctive smoky flavour. getty "Burning peat is horrendous. It should be considered a climate crime because of the carbon emissions and impact on the ecosystems where the peat is harvested from' said Alastair Collier, Chief R&D Officer at A Healthier Earth, a company that builds and delivers large-scale sustainability solutions. In an interview with me to discuss the use of peat (and potential alternatives) his opinions on the use of peat in the whisky industry were clear: We ran some calculations, and burning peat for whisky creates around six to ten kilograms of CO₂ per bottle—that's the equivalent of 15 minutes of a short-haul flight every time you open a bottle. Alastair Collier, Chief R&D Officer at A Healthier Earth Alastair went on to point out that while the quantity of the CO2 released isn't huge it comes from a storage that has developed over millennia, isn't renewable and has untold damage on ecosystems reducing biodiversity and negatively impacting water cycles. It's pretty crazy when you hear those kinds of numbers. And it's not hard to imagine how this could become political very quickly. Picture a future where Glasgow hits 40°C in March, private motorists face heavy taxes for driving petrol or diesel cars, and the pressure to cut emissions is coming from every direction. In that kind of climate—literally and politically—the idea of burning a critical carbon sink just to flavour a drink starts to look like an easy target. Laphroaig's iconic smoky profile depends on peat, but sustainable alternatives like biochar could help preserve its character. Mark Littler LTD A Luxury Target In the argument against banning peat there is a potential consideration for heritage, and for economic importance. The Scotch Whisky Association reported that in 2024 scotch whisky exports were worth $7.25 billion (£5.4 billion) and were 2% of all UK goods exports. Those are numbers that need to be respected. Which is fine, because there is an alternative. There are already carbon neutral alternatives to peat for other uses, and Alastair Collier is confident that one could be created to replicate the compounds that give whisky its smokey/peaty flavours. "With intent, investment, and around one to two years of trials, a food-grade biochar, which is a form of captured carbon, could be developed to replicate peat's flavor profile in whisky production. It would allow the same smoky character while moving from a carbon-intensive process to a carbon-neutral one." Alastair Collier, Chief R&D Officer at A Healthier Earth Any government looking to ban peat in whisky is likely to see push back; whisky makes money and also people love it. Even Alastair Collier, knowing the issues, enjoys the result: "I drink whisky and really love the medicinal notes that peated expressions like Talisker. But at the same time, I'm fully aware of the environmental cost of using peat." Personally, I believe that much like ivory in the antiques trade, peat will become a target because it is a high-profile, high-emission luxury. Because luxury will always be first in line for regulation when emissions cuts need to look visible. The Future Of the World's Favourite Whisky Let's be clear; I don't want peated whisky to disappear, but I do think that it's a big elephant in the room. When you have the likes of Diageo, one of the world's largest premium alcohol drinks companies, developing the lightest glass bottle in the world to save transport costs and carbon, but also owning what is soon to be the largest peat extraction site in Scotland, it begs the question of when tradition fades into outdated? I reached out to Diageo for comment on the use of peat and potential alternatives in whisky. They declined to comment directly, insisting it was an industry topic better suited to the Scotch Whisky Association and I should contact them. I'm inclined to disagree given their peat extraction activities. However, when they're actively working on the world's lightest bottle, whilst also pushing the boundaries of whisky making at their new distillery at Port Ellen, I would be astounded if they are not also aware of the potential social and political pressure on their peat usage. Some distilleries are already making the switch away from peat. In 2024 Glenturret, the oldest distillery in Scotland announced that they would be stopping the use of peat in their whisky making in 2025, although their reasoning behind this wasn't purely environmental. 'Our decision to step away from peat in the core range was part of a deliberate move to refine and focus our signature house style here at The Glenturret. It's not a rejection of peat, rather, it's about clarity of direction,' said Ian Renwick, Distillery Director at Glenturret, over an email with me about Glenturret's use of peat. 'Peated Scotch whisky holds a special place in the world of single malts. It offers distinctive character, deep complexity, and emotional connection for many whisky lovers,' added Renwick. 'There will always be a place for peat in scotch, especially when it's used with intention and skill. It may evolve in how it's produced or sourced, but its role in the whisky world is far from over.' The important question remains, would large scotch brands like Glenturret consider an alternative to peat if it existed? 'We're always open to innovation, especially where it supports quality and sustainability. If a credible, environmentally responsible way to create a peat-style profile emerged, we would certainly explore it with curiosity.' Just as Coca-Cola survived the cocaine ban in 1922, and the antiques industry survived the banning of ivory, scotch whisky can adapt to a life beyond peat. A few weeks ago the EU announced plans to cut carbon emissions 90% by 2040, and last month it was announced the world may hit the symbolic 1.5oC global warming in as little as three years—the time it will take this year's batch of whisky to be legally classed as scotch. As climate pressure and challenging targets continue to emerge, the pressure will shift to focus on emissions that even three years ago may have appeared too small to bother with. Smart brands will lead the change. Whether it's now or in three years time—in my opinion it's when not if—the question distillers need to ask themselves is simple: can we adapt. The risk of doing nothing remains to get legislated out and no one wants to see their favourite whisky brands disappear from the shelves.
BreakingNews.ie
27-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man refusing to stop extracting peat has no trespass sign with '€100,000 charge'
A sign with the signature of a man who says he will not comply with orders to stop extracting peat from a Co Laois bog has been erected saying that anyone who "trespasses" on the land will be charged "€100,000 per minute", the High Court heard. Liam Gorman, Silverwood, Mountmellick, Co Laois, has been repeatedly ordered by the court not to trespass on the 400 acre Garryowen Bog, Tinnahinch, which owned Bord na Mona Biomass (BnMB) Ltd. Advertisement The court has now found BnMB is the owner and that it is Mr Gorman who is trespassing. Mr Gorman has claimed his family owned some of the land for generations and that it had been abandoned by Bord na Mona. He claims he was now living in a caravan on part of it and disputed that BnMB owns it. He said he was extracting peat to sell to farmers as bedding for cattle. He also, at one point, disputed the jurisdiction of the courts and specifically claimed that the High Court was 'legally non-existent' Advertisement BnMB last month applied to the court to have him jailed for contempt for repeatedly failing to obey orders to stop extracting and to remove large machinery and a number of men he has working for him from the lands. That application was adjourned to allow for a hearing of what Mr Gorman claimed were his assertions of ownership over two particular plots of land and to put in a counterclaim against the BnMB case. The matter came on for hearing this month before Mr Justice Oisín Quinn over two days, on both of which Mr Gorman, who represented himself, walked out of the hearing accompanied by a number of individuals. The court heard a sign, signed by Mr Gorman, had been erected on the bog stating: 'Warning Notice – No Trespass' and 'Common Law Jurisdiction Applies Exclusively' and 'There will be a charge of €100,000.00 per minute per man, woman, or corporation and for any incursion what so ever'. Advertisement In a judgment, Mr Justice Quinn found Mr Gorman was trespassing and that all but a small triangle of the land was owned by BnMB. The judge said that on the first day of the hearing, he refused Mr Gorman an adjournment to get legal advice after the court heard he had twice discharged firms of solicitors since the case began more than a year ago. He claimed he also wanted to employ a forensic investigator but did not elaborate on why or why he needed new solicitors. He left the court, after again trying to challenge the court's jurisdiction, and did not wait to hear the evidence. Advertisement The judge said he returned the next day and repeated his complaints made earlier as well as suggesting he had "adverse possession" (squatters rights) of the land. He repeated he would continue to extract peat no matter what happened in court and left again. In his decision, Mr Justice Quinn said he was satisfied BnMB is the owner of the lands with the exception of a small triangle which was unregistered but may be partly owned by an unrelated company, He has been unlawfully using some type of access road and has unlawfully carried out works such as peat extraction from the lands and from one plot in particular., the judge said. He has wrongly placed a caravan on that particular plot and has engaged in peat extraction from the lands, he said. Drone images were shown indicating the use of substantial machinery operating on the bog land in the area of this plot. Advertisement Mr. Gorman had told the court he had returned to the land in April 2025 having 'discharged' himself as far as he was concerned from the obligations to comply with the orders made in the case, he said. He was satisfied Mr Gorman intended to continue trespassing. World Champion Irish jockey (29) charged with drink driv... Read More The judge made orders restraining Mr Gorman, and all having notice of the orders, from trespassing or interfering with BnMB's use or exercise of its rights over the lands. He also said Mr Gorman was prohibited from bringing any machinery or other equipment on to the lands and from extracting peat. The judge said there will be no award of damages against him as BnMB decided not to adduce any evidence in support of a damages claim. As Mr Gorman did not meaningfully participate in the hearing and called no evidence his counterclaim was dismissed.
Irish Times
26-06-2025
- Irish Times
‘€100k a minute, no trespassing' sign put up on land at centre of row over unlawful peat extraction
A sign with the signature of a man who has said he will not comply with orders to stop extracting peat from a Co Laois bog has been erected saying anyone who 'trespasses' on the land will be charged '€100,000 per minute', the High Court has heard. Liam Gorman, Silverwood, Mountmellick, Co Laois, has been repeatedly ordered by the court not to trespass on the 400-acre Garryowen Bog in Tinnahinch, owned by Bord na Móna Biomass (BnMB) Ltd. The court has found BnMB is the owner and it is Mr Gorman who is trespassing. Mr Gorman has claimed his family owned some of the land for generations and that it had been abandoned by Bord na Móna. He claimed he was now living in a caravan on part of it and disputed the BnMB ownership. READ MORE He said he was extracting peat to sell to farmers as bedding for cattle. At one point, he disputed the jurisdiction of the courts and specifically claimed the High Court was 'legally non-existent'. BnMB last month applied to the court to have him jailed for contempt for repeatedly failing to obey orders to stop extracting peat and to remove large machinery, and a number of men working for him, from the land. That application was adjourned to allow for a hearing of what Mr Gorman claimed were his assertions of ownership over two particular plots of land and to put in a counterclaim against the BnMB case. The matter came for hearing this month before Mr Justice Oisín Quinn over two days, on both of which Mr Gorman, who represented himself, walked out of the hearing accompanied by a number of individuals. The court heard a notice , signed by Mr Gorman, had been erected on the bog stating: 'Warning Notice – No Trespass' and 'Common Law Jurisdiction Applies Exclusively'. 'There will be a charge of €100,000.00 per minute per man, woman, or corporation and for any incursion what so ever', it said. In a judgment, Mr Justice Quinn found Mr Gorman was trespassing and said all but a small triangle of the land was owned by BnMB. The judge said that on the first day of the hearing he refused Mr Gorman an adjournment to get legal advice after the court heard he had twice discharged firms of solicitors since the case began more than a year ago. Mr Gorman claimed he also wanted to employ a forensic investigator, but did not elaborate on why or why he needed new solicitors. He left the court, after again trying to challenge its jurisdiction, and did not wait to hear the evidence. The judge said Mr Gorman returned the next day and repeated his complaints as well as suggesting he had 'adverse possession', commonly known as squatter's rights, of the land. He repeated he would continue to extract peat no matter what happened in court and left again. In his decision, Mr Justice Quinn said he was satisfied BnMB was the owner of the lands with the exception of a small triangle which was unregistered, but which may be partly owned by an unrelated company. Mr Gorman had been unlawfully using some type of access road and had unlawfully carried out works such as peat extraction from the land and from one plot in particular, the judge said. He had wrongly placed a caravan on that particular plot, the judge said. Drone images indicated the use of substantial machinery. Mr Gorman had told the court he had returned to the land last April, having 'discharged' himself from the obligations to comply with the orders made in the case, he said. The judge was satisfied Mr Gorman intended to continue trespassing. Mr Justice Quinn made orders restraining Mr Gorman, and all having notice of the orders, from trespassing or interfering with BnMB's use or exercise of its rights over the lands. He also said Mr Gorman was prohibited from bringing any machinery or other equipment on to the lands and from extracting peat.
Irish Times
26-06-2025
- Irish Times
Illegal peat harvesting is still taking place on a large scale, EPA report finds
Illegal commercial extraction of peat on a large scale continues to be widespread in Ireland, with a flourishing export trade worth €40 million a year, an EPA investigation has found. A total of 38 large-scale operations are engaged in illegal peat extraction in a sector that 'does not operate within planning or environmental laws', the report, published on Wednesday, concludes. 'Local authority enforcement performance in this area is patently inadequate,' it finds. The EPA has investigated 38 sites across seven counties – Offaly, Kildare, Laois, Westmeath, Roscommon, Longford and Sligo – where large-scale commercial peat extraction is being carried out without any of the necessary authorisations from local authorities. READ MORE The worst county was Westmeath, with eight illegal sites, followed by Tipperary and Roscommon with six each. [ Ireland worst in world for wetlands depletion over past 3 centuries, global study finds Opens in new window ] These illegal operations are contributing to an export trade of 300,000 tonnes of peat annually, valued at almost €40 million, the report says. The EPA has carried out 170 enforcement inspections between 2021 and 2024, including legal actions at District Court and High Court level against operations on areas greater than 50 hectares. These actions have resulted in cessation of illegal extractions on several peatlands, while a number of actions remain live before the courts. The products being extracted are milled peat used as compost and large sod peat – used in horticulture – as well as 'wet peat extracts' used in mushroom production. Dr Tom Ryan, director of the EPA Office of Environmental Enforcement, said: 'Operators engaged in unauthorised peat harvesting activities are in flagrant violation of environmental law. They are destroying our precious natural environments, and this needs to stop.' 'The environmental damage caused by large-scale peat extraction operating outside regulatory control is catastrophic for the environment,' Dr Ryan said. 'It results in destruction of vital ecosystems for biodiversity, loss of important carbon sinks ... and decimation of an irreplaceable cultural and scientific amenity and resource.' Peat extraction is subject to several legal restrictions in Ireland, and many sites have not received the required permissions. Photograph: EPA Bord na Móna was an excellent example of appropriate engagement with environmental regulations working, he said, including compliance with EPA licensing requirements, minimising of negative environmental impacts of peat harvesting, and securing of the rehabilitation of harvested peatlands. Local authorities have primary responsibility for regulating all commercial peat extraction. The EPA said it will continue to use its powers to ensure local authorities fully implement and enforce environmental requirements. The report notes appropriate regulation of peat harvesting can provide important protections for the environment. Bord na Móna had lawfully operated nine different peatland complexes across 11 counties under EPA licence until 2020, when these operations ceased. In accordance with their licence conditions and with support of the Peatlands Climate Action Scheme, Bord na Móna is engaged in rehabilitation of those peatlands, with almost 19,000 hectares rehabilitated by the end of 2024, 'bringing them back to life, allowing nature to take its course and the peatlands to flourish again', the report states. [ Turf cutters warn of confrontational scenes after EU Commission move Opens in new window ] The EPA has gathered evidence of expensive machinery, complex drainage systems, extensive rows and stacks of cut peat and, in some cases, large warehouses on sites. Large-scale commercial peat extraction can only take place if it is granted planning permission. In some cases, an EPA licence is also required. For peat extraction from on an area greater than 50Ha, extraction needs an EPA integrated pollution control licence as well as planning permission and an environmental impact assessment (EIA). There is a ban on the commercial sale of peat for solid fuel heating and restriction of peat-cutting for other purposes, such as horticulture. Environmental groups have highlighted that very few, if any, plots have the required permits or would be eligible for them because they would fail at the EIA stage. Peat extraction was targeted for phase-out on environmental and public health grounds, as turf-burning causes air pollution and bog-stripping undermines the natural environment.
