Peatland Boreal Forest Canada Ontario

Carbon Cache

What do wetlands, forests, grasslands, farmlands all have in common? They all have the potential to store tremendous amounts of carbon.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2017 found these so-called nature-based climate solutions could provide more than one-third of the emissions reductions needed to stabilize global temperature increases below 2 C by 2030 under the Paris Accord.

For countries with vast landscapes, the idea of these nature-based climate solutions created quite the buzz.

Those findings also thrust Canada — home to 25 per cent of Earth’s wetlands and boreal forests, as well as endangered prairie grasslands and the world’s longest coastline — into playing a vital role in the global fight against climate change.

This series looking at the role of Canada’s natural landscapes in the fight against climate change is funded by Metcalf Foundation. As per The Narwhal’s editorial independence policy, the foundation has no editorial input.

Battling a hungry beetle, this Mohawk community hopes to keep its trees — and traditions — alive

Get the inside scoop on The Narwhal’s environment and climate reporting by signing up for our free newsletter. Angello Johnson’s shoulders burn, and his arms...

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With headlines blaring about tariffs, a trade war and a 51st state, it can be easy to feel helpless. Here’s where I see hope: The Narwhal is reporting doggedly on issues surrounding the natural world in Canada that feel so under threat today — including the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. It’s why I’m a member — and why I hope you’ll be one of 400 readers who joins me this April. Sign up now and receive a Narwhal tote bag as a gift of thanks! — Tanya Talaga, journalist, author and recent Narwhal board chair
A note from Tanya Talaga
Circular headshot of Tanya Talaga.
With headlines blaring about tariffs, a trade war and a 51st state, it can be easy to feel helpless. Here’s where I see hope: The Narwhal is reporting doggedly on issues surrounding the natural world in Canada that feel so under threat today — including the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. It’s why I’m a member — and why I hope you’ll be one of 400 readers who joins me this April. — Tanya Talaga, journalist, author and recent Narwhal board chair
A note from Tanya Talaga
Circular headshot of Tanya Talaga.