By Rasheedat Oladele
A recent report has highlighted concerning developments in the largest freshwater body in the UK and Ireland.
According to the study, the temperature of this crucial aquatic environment has risen by 1°C since 1995. Furthermore, the research reveals that the amount of stored in the vicinity of the water body is more than twice the previous estimate.
Conducted as a joint effort between scientific experts and environmental advocates, the study focused on assessing the implications of climate change and carbon storage around the entirety of the water body’s shoreline.
Core samples were extracted from various points, some penetrating as deep as 9km below grass fields, to gauge the extent of carbon storage. The results of this comprehensive investigation are significant, shedding new light on the environmental dynamics at play.
Jim McAdam, the author of the report, explained, “Previously, our best approximation of carbon stored in the Lough Neagh catchment area was around 6.6 million tonnes, derived from surface soil maps created in the 1990s. This study delved deeper, examining the actual depth of carbon, yielding our updated calculation of its presence.”
The site under scrutiny has experienced the impact of unregulated peat extraction, a practice known to influence the ecosystem’s delicate balance.
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In response, a partnership has been established to oversee the site’s management, with a core focus on conservation, restoration of peatlands, and the enhancement of natural habitats.
Gerry Darby, the partnership’s manager, emphasized the necessity of striking a balance between legal peat extraction and species protection.
The report also unveiled developments in Northern Ireland’s efforts to address peatlands. A peatlands strategy, pending approval from a Stormont minister, is expected to include a ban on peat sales from 2025.
However, this approach is not without its challenges, particularly in terms of incentivizing farmers to adopt new practices aligned with environmental conservation.
The partnership’s shoreline environment officer, Peter Harper, acknowledged the historical role of peat in the region while stressing the importance of healthy peatlands for the environment.
While recognizing the commercial industry associated with peat extraction, Harper pointed out that the cumulative impact of such practices on climate change necessitates a balanced and sustainable approach.
The findings of this report underscore the intricate relationship between human activity, the environment, and climate change.
As authorities strive to strike the right balance between economic interests and ecological well-being, the broader implications for the global climate crisis remain a central concern.
