Peat extraction for potting soil production leads to high CO₂ emissions and the loss of biodiverse peat bogs. At the end of 2022, the potting soil industry, the government, and one small environmental organisation reached an agreement to address this. Three years later, Stichting Turfrvrij concludes: voluntary agreements are ineffective.
Free greening is possible and the best choice
Greening our living environment is not only desirable, but also crucial. By planting trees and shrubs, we can cool cities, enhance biodiversity, and better cope with challenges like extreme rainfall and drought. Even better, greening can be achieved sustainably, naturally, and free of charge, with the help of initiatives and volunteers who collect and reuse seedlings.
Impenetrable peat bogs are good for defence and the climate
Tanks drive poorly in the mud. We should re-wet peat bogs on Europe’s eastern borders.
Avoid ‘floating plants’ from garden centres and choose natural growers
Buying plants from garden centres is not a good idea, according to Karin Bodewits. Go to the grower with a heart for biodiversity, who knows what he is selling.
Opinie stuk in Trouw: ‘Regulier’ geteelde plantjes? Daar is niets normaals aan. Maak ook in taal duidelijk hoe schadelijk intensieve sierteelt is. Beleid begint bij taal. Laten we zorgen dat wat we normaal noemen, ook echt verantwoord is.
Less nitrogen emissions do not mean fewer farmers. Paludiculture, agriculture on wetlands, is a new revenue model for farmers.
Plants seem to be the ‘greenest’ purchase you can make. But if they are grown in peat, they cause destruction elsewhere
What´s behind the Dutch peat convenant? Will it achieve its goal of making substrates more sustainable? What are the provisions beyond the obvious targets?
Nederland is het 6e land ter wereld met een officiële turfreductiestrategie! Op 18 november ondertekenden twee ministers (Piet Adema en Rob Jetten), diverse brancheorganisaties en wij als enige NGO deze baanbrekende overeenkomst.
