Nabu chief on climate change with Mooren: "Look out the window!"

Nabu leader Jörg-Andreas Krüger has called on policymakers to look beyond their immediate concerns and recognize the urgent need for climate action, particularly through the restoration of peatlands. In response to Environment Minister Carsten Schneider’s plan to rewet peatlands as part of Germany’s broader natural climate protection strategy, Krüger emphasized the growing economic and environmental consequences of current land-use practices. The initiative faces resistance from the Christian Social Union (CSU), which opposes the move, arguing that it could disrupt traditional agricultural methods. The debate over rewetting peatlands has intensified amid worsening drought conditions and extreme weather events. Schneider’s proposed program aims to classify peatlands as areas of “exceptional public interest,” thereby securing legal protections and funding for their restoration. This would allow for the gradual reintroduction of water into previously drained peatlands, reversing decades of agricultural expansion that have turned these ecosystems into major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. However, CSU Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer has publicly opposed the measure, suggesting that such efforts should not interfere with existing farming practices. Krüger, who has been president of the Nature Conservation Union (Nabu) since 2019, argues that the current approach to managing water resources is unsustainable. He points to the increasing frequency of heatwaves, low water levels, and disrupted shipping routes as evidence of the broader economic impact of climate change. These issues, he says, extend far beyond personal gardens or local landscapes, they affect energy production, transportation, and even access to drinking water. “It’s not just the lawn in your garden turning brown,” he explains. “The climate crisis is hurting our economy.” Peatlands, once considered valuable for agriculture, now play a critical role in mitigating global warming. When left undisturbed, they act as carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide. However, drainage for farming has transformed many peatlands into sources of methane emissions. Rewetting them can reverse this process, allowing the stored carbon to remain locked away. Krüger highlights that currently, nearly seven percent of Germany’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from dried-out peatlands. By restoring these areas, the country could significantly reduce its carbon footprint. Despite the scientific consensus on the benefits of rewetting, the practice has faced historical and cultural challenges. Many farmers and rural communities view peatland restoration as a disruption to traditional ways of life. Krüger acknowledges this concern, noting that earlier generations worked hard to drain peatlands to make them more suitable for agriculture. “My grandparents had a farm in northern Germany where horses wore wide moor shoes to avoid sinking,” he recalls. “That work made farming easier, but today we must consider the long-term costs of those decisions.” In his interview, Krüger stressed that the goal is not to return to past practices but to create resilient landscapes capable of absorbing rainfall during wet periods and releasing it slowly during dry spells. This requires a shift toward more sustainable land management, including the protection of intact peatlands. He argues that such measures are not only environmentally necessary but also economically viable, pointing to the €1.75 billion allocated for climate protection projects until 2029 as proof of the government’s commitment. As the discussion continues, the challenge lies in balancing ecological recovery with the needs of local communities. With rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, the case for rewetting peatlands grows stronger. Whether this vision becomes reality depends on political will and public support, both of which remain under scrutiny. For now, the focus remains on convincing skeptics that protecting peatlands is essential, not just for the environment, but for the stability of the entire system.