To learn the meanings and quiz yourself, you can check out this Vocabulary.com list.
Questions for Writing and Discussion
Read the article here or in this PDF, then answer the following questions:
1. What is peat? Describe it in your own words.
2. What is peat not good for? What is it good for?
3. Why is peat “the world’s best carbon sink”?
4. How is peat able to hold so much carbon?
5. Why has so much peatland been destroyed around the world? Give at least three reasons.
6. The article says that a disturbed peatland “can become a villain.” What does that mean?
7. What is the best way to heal a peatland?
8. Why is it so important to protect peatlands?
Going Further
What else do you want to know about peat and its ability to fight climate change?
The New York Times’s Headway initiative, which investigates challenges around the world and how to solve them, is inviting readers to submit their questions about the muddy wetlands:
Over the next few weeks, we’re collecting all your questions and curiosities about peatlands. No question is too big or too small. We’ll gather all of your responses and consult the most knowledgeable people we know on the subjects of peatlands, wetlands and climate change. We’ll message you back with what we’ve found.
On your own, or as a class, brainstorm responses to the following questions posed by Headway:
If you are doing this activity as a class, after you have brainstormed as many ideas as you can, choose at least one question your class has about peatlands and one important environment in your community to share.
Then, you can submit your answers via the form at the bottom of the article. Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, may submit their responses using the form. Teachers and parents can submit on behalf of younger students.
