Empower the Planet: How to Make Smart Choices for Climate Safety and Nature’s Preservation

When we talk about fighting climate change, we often think of planting trees. While that’s important, some landscapes already store huge amounts of carbon. Disturbing these areas could release far more carbon than any reforestation project could capture over the years.

For example, Scotland’s Flow Country peatlands hold about 400 million tonnes of carbon beneath their waterlogged mosses. Meanwhile, Brazil’s Atlantic Forest aims to restore 15 million hectares by 2050 to absorb new carbon from the atmosphere. These two cases highlight the spectrum of climate action: preserving existing carbon stores versus restoring ecosystems that can actively absorb carbon.

Understanding Carbon Dense Landscapes

Peatlands, which make up only 3% of the Earth’s surface, are vital. They store about 30% of all soil carbon, which is far more than forests. The Flow Country in Scotland is the largest blanket bog on Earth and is recognized by UNESCO for its significance. Researchers note that this unique environment functions as a long-term carbon store, keeping carbon safely underground for thousands of years.

When these peatlands are disturbed—through drainage, burning, or development—they can release carbon back into the atmosphere rapidly. Protecting these areas isn’t symbolic; it’s a crucial first step to prevent massive emissions.

The Importance of Legal Protections

Legal protections are only effective if they are properly enforced. In 2025, England introduced a ban on burning peat deeper than 30 cm, closing loopholes from previous regulations. This ban is essential because peat burning dries out these ecosystems and speeds up carbon loss.

On a financial front, the UK has established the Peatland Code to support the restoration of peatlands. This system allows landowners to earn carbon credits for verified restoration efforts. Such financial incentives can make a big difference in protecting and managing these vital ecosystems.

Brazil’s Atlantic Forest Restoration

Brazil’s Atlantic Forest used to stretch along much of the eastern coast and has now dwindled to about 12% of its original area due to agriculture and urbanization. In 2009, over 300 organizations came together to form the Atlantic Forest Restoration Pact with a goal of restoring 15 million hectares by 2050. Recently, approximately 113,000 hectares have been restored, with around 740,000 hectares undergoing recovery.

Though these numbers seem small, they indicate a strong foundation for future restoration efforts. Successful restoration requires using the right combination of native species and ensuring that projects fit into local economies, preventing future deforestation.

Financial Mechanisms for Sustainability

One exciting development is the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), introduced in 2024. It aims to raise $125 billion for the long-term protection of tropical forests, with 20% of that funding allocated to Indigenous and local communities. These communities often serve as the best guardians of forests. The TFFF plans to provide consistent annual payments for every hectare of forest protected, thereby encouraging sustainable stewardship.

A Practical Guide: Protect, Manage, Restore

The “Protect → Manage → Restore” framework is a helpful way to prioritize actions based on carbon efficiency and permanence.

1. Protect existing ecosystems that are still intact.
2. Manage areas that are degraded but can still function.
3. Restore when ecosystems are too damaged to recover on their own.

This approach not only maximizes carbon retention but also clarifies how our actions—like donations or support for policies—translate into real results.

Conclusion

Aligning our climate actions with science is crucial. Protecting places like Scotland’s Flow Country helps to preserve valuable carbon stores, while managing ecosystems through enhancing policies and financial systems minimizes damage. Restoration efforts, such as Brazil’s Atlantic Forest restoration zones, build ecosystems that absorb carbon for years to come.

By using the protect-manage-restore ladder, we can better align our actions and investments to support sustainability, ensuring that both communities and ecosystems flourish.

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