Poland and Finland plan to restore marshes on the border to protect against a potential attack by the Russian Federation
The governments of Finland and Poland are seriously considering the possibility of restoring wetlands along the border areas. This initiative has a dual purpose: to contribute to the climate crisis and at the same time to create a natural barrier against a potential military threat from Russia, reports Politico,
The Ministry of Defense of Poland reminded that the large-scale border strengthening project “Eastern Shield” worth 10 billion zlotys (2.3 billion euros), “provides for environmental protection, in particular through the formation of peatlands and afforestation of border areas”.
Currently, it is not only a matter of preparing for possible aggression. The European Union also relies on natural solutions in the fight against global warming. Peat bogs, which are natural stores of carbon, are able not only to absorb carbon dioxide, which contributes to the warming of the planet, but also to become an obstacle for heavy military equipment.
Currently, half of the European bogs have been depleted as a result of their drainage for the purpose of using land for agriculture. Dried peatlands, on the other hand, emit greenhouse gases and allow heavy vehicles to move freely.
Many European governments are questioning whether the restoration of such degraded marshes can solve several problems at the same time. Finland and Poland confirmed to the publication that they are actively working on the idea of reviving bogs as a universal measure — both to strengthen their borders and to fight climate change.
