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Peatland News

Title: Scientific expedition in the peatlands of the Congo Basin to understand the role of peatlands in regulating climate change
Date: 30-Oct-2017
Category: Global
Source/Author: CNBC
Description: Greenpeace (http://APO.af/2gzfEv) Africa is organising an expedition in the peatlands of the Congo Basin forests with scientists and government officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo from October 27 – 29.

Greenpeace (http://APO.af/2gzfEv) Africa is organising an expedition in the peatlands of the Congo Basin forests with scientists and government officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo from October 27 – 29. The expedition taking place in the village of Lokolama (45 km from Mbandaka – capital of the province of Equateur in the Democratic Republic of Congo) will allow scientists, who recently discovered these peatlands to continue their research and measure the depth of the peats. The delegation will be to be accompanied by national and international journalist.

Peatlands have a tremendous capacity to store carbon and the expedition seeks to show the existence of peatlands in the intact forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the importance of these peatlands in regulating climate change. Scientists will therefore have the opportunity to explain to journalists and forestry representatives the importance of protecting the Congo Basin forests and leaving peatlands untouched.

After the expedition, a workshop will be organised on the Greenpeace ship, Esperanza, with policy makers, scientists and the media, to discuss the results of the expedition and outline conservation solutions to be implemented with the communities. The findings will later be taken to COP23 in Bonn, from November 6.

The peatland expedition is organised as part of the Greenpeace Africa “Give the Congo Basin forests a chance” campaign, which started in Cameroon on 13 October and ends in Congo Brazzaville on 10 November. The campaign is supported by the presence of the Esperanza, the largest vessel in the Greenpeace (www.Greenpeace.com) fleet, currently docked in the waters of the DRC since 24 October. During its stay in the DRC, various activities will be organised on the ship with government officials,, donors, civil society and, in particular, the indigenous and local communities who live and depend on these forest for their livelihoods.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Greenpeace.

Media contact: Irene Wabiwa Senior Forest Manager at Greenpeace Africa Tel: +243976756102  Email: Irene.Wabiwa@Greenpeace.org

Afy Malungu Media Consultant Tel: +243810583517 Email: Afymab@Gmail.com



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