In this lesson, students will read an illustrated article to learn how mossy wetlands could help slow climate change.
This lesson is a part of our Accessible Activities feature, which aims to welcome a wider variety of learners to our site and to The Times. Learn more and tell us what you think here.
Lesson Overview
Featured Article: “Meet Peat, the Unsung Hero of Carbon Capture” by Sabrina Imbler with illustrations by Eden Weingart
A recent study has found that peat bogs — wetlands that are formed by dying moss that has built up over centuries — could be a key to helping the world slow global warming.
In this lesson, you’ll watch a short video and read an illustrated article to learn more about peatlands and why protecting them is so important for our planet. Then, we invite you to share your questions about peat with The New York Times and to give an example of a special physical environment in your own community.
Warm-Up
Before reading the featured article, watch this four-minute video from Vox that explains the carbon cycle and how humans have affected it.
In the article you will read today, you will learn about peatlands, which are what scientists call “carbon sinks” because they store carbon. A new study says that peat could be a key to slowing climate change. Why do you think that is, based on what you learned about carbon in the video?
Vocabulary
Look at the 10 words below. Do you know what any of them mean? Are any new to you?
1. peat
2. decay
3. decompose
4. carbon
5. limbo
6. preserve
7. unsung
8. emit
9. accumulate
10. resilient
To learn the meanings and quiz yourself, you can check out this Vocabulary.com list.
Questions for Writing and Discussion
Read the article here or in this PDF, then answer the following questions:
1. What is peat? Describe it in your own words.
2. What is peat not good for? What is it good for?
3. Why is peat “the world’s best carbon sink”?
4. How is peat able to hold so much carbon?
5. Why has so much peatland been destroyed around the world? Give at least three reasons.
6. The article says that a disturbed peatland “can become a villain.” What does that mean?
7. What is the best way to heal a peatland?
8. Why is it so important to protect peatlands?
Going Further
What else do you want to know about peat and its ability to fight climate change?
The New York Times’s Headway initiative, which investigates challenges around the world and how to solve them, is inviting readers to submit their questions about the muddy wetlands:
Over the next few weeks, we’re collecting all your questions and curiosities about peatlands. No question is too big or too small. We’ll gather all of your responses and consult the most knowledgeable people we know on the subjects of peatlands, wetlands and climate change. We’ll message you back with what we’ve found.
On your own, or as a class, brainstorm responses to the following questions posed by Headway:
What questions or curiosities do you have about peatlands?
What do you think is the most precious physical environment in your community? Why?
If you are doing this activity as a class, after you have brainstormed as many ideas as you can, choose at least one question your class has about peatlands and one important environment in your community to share.
Then, you can submit your answers via the form at the bottom of the article. Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, may submit their responses using the form. Teachers and parents can submit on behalf of younger students.
Want more Lessons of the Day? You can find them all here.
#Environment | https://sciencespies.com/environment/lesson-of-the-day-peat-the-unsung-hero-of-carbon-capture/
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