The whole world wetlands host around 771 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide and methane, which is equal to 20 percent of the global storage of carbon dioxide.
If people of wetlands are damaged they can release this strong bomb coal and unleash a climate after the destruction of the earth. As if we were in bad enough shape as it is. Climate change and progress is destroying large areas of wetland, as they are drained, or be developed further, massive stores of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.
We must all wetlands in the world emit any store greenhouse gases, there could be a rapid and catastrophic rise in global temperature. The chances for all these gases are released, of course, very slim. But even a small portion will have a significant impact.
Wetlands cover States States, delta rivers, flood plains of rivers, lagoons, mangroves, peat bogs and even and tundra. These wetlands are roughly 6% of the land surface of the planet, but kept 20% of carbon dioxide. Previously these wetlands have been devastated, seen as an impediment rather than an aid to culture. In the past century almost 59% of these wetlands have been destroyed worldwide. This has arisen through drainage for agriculture in particular, although other types of urban development have also contributed, such as cutting peat and groundwater pumping.
Increase in sea level could also change the salt content of these wetlands and in some cases submerse them exclusively. As with so many issues global warming, it is not possible to predict the precise impact of this "carbon bomb." All the same it is for certain is that it is much cheaper and more sustainable for the restoration of wetlands, rather than trying to create artificial floods in full flow of more frequent and devastating storms and floods, the chances for a warmer planet.
A more difficult problem to find a solution for the northern tundra where billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide is the commitment made in the territory. The global rise in temperature will be broadcast, fuelling more warming in a vicious circle without end. This exemption may be unavoidable in the northern climes, but there is still time for the warmer wetlands to be restored.
I suspect that it is all down to priorities once again. Wetlands are worthless public image as a significant waste of land that could be used for more beneficial purposes. And yet we are much more in favour of saving the rain forest. Both wetlands and tropical forests must be maintained on an equal footing, and perhaps if we are better educated about environmental benefits of the wetlands, we can still stave off the bomb coal.
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