Bogs, biodiversity and communities: The value of peatlands beyond energy production

Critical Ecologies

Historically in Ireland, bogs have been exploited for their resources by colonial powers, governments and semi-state bodies. This has resulted in extensive loss of peatlands in Ireland and this has had negative impacts on the communities and wildlife that rely on these spaces. In this podcast the concepts of spatial justice and multispecies justice are discussed in relation to the loss of peatlands in Ireland and are used to understand what this means for locals and wildlife who rely on these spaces. As society today moves towards reaching climate targets in a bid to reduce harmful emissions this podcast also examines the methods and aims of the Irish government around the “Just Transition” and how moves to cease turf extraction are affecting the communities who relied so heavily on this system for employment and resources for centuries.