Thanks for the article link for discussion! Of course, the thread title and article are about "peat in North America" and that is significant to its argument.
I've seen similar "in defense of peat" articles in the past and realize that as a North American peat user, my options (and thus my decisions) are different from those for gardeners and horticulturists in much of Europe.
The source of peat varies greatly between regions. I use both peat and coir—and actually mix my media: 1 part peat to 2 parts coir (+ aggregates as needed). I plan to continue this practice. However, I've always been frustrated by the marketing of coco coir as 'sustainable' with the implication that North American (i.e., Canadian) peat bogs are lumped into the same "peat bucket" as sources from peat bogs that are NOT regenerating.
A fair comparison of the environmental 'costs' of Canadian peat vs. coir must consider several factors:
1. **Environmental Impact**:
- **Peat**: Harvesting peat in Canada is 'claimed' by that industry to be regulated in a way that allows for the restoration of peat bogs, minimizing long-term environmental damage. I compare it to the U.S. or Canadian lumber industry—which makes the same claim, and you may disagree. I've lived around timber areas in the western U.S. and am well-aquainted with the differences in a 'managed forest' and an 'old growth' forest that has never been logged, and can imagine a 'managed peat bog' would be far different from a pristine, untouched bog- but that's not our discussion here.
- **Coir**: The establishment of coconut farms at some point involved the conversion of natural habitats. Additionally, coconut farming requires significant water and fertilizer inputs. I factor these into my "environmental cost" equation—you may not.
2. **Transportation**:
- **Peat**: Canadian peat has a relatively short transportation route to my location in the U.S., reducing its carbon footprint. Yes, it has emissions and fossil fuel costs.
- **Coir**: Coir, imported from tropical regions, involves long transportation routes that increase fossil fuel use and associated pollution to my location. If you must ship either coir or peat long distances to your location, this would factor in.
3. **Sustainability Claims**:
- **Peat**: In North America, especially in Canada, peat harvesting companies claim it is sustainable for many decades at present consumption. This includes efforts to replenish and restore peat bogs after harvesting. It's a claim you may or may not believe, but compare it to coir below.
- **Coir**: Because it is a byproduct of the coconut industry, it's sustainable only as long as coconut farms produce coconut for consumption, continuing their inputs of water, fertilizer and fossil fuel, to both grow and harvest the coconut and transport the coir to me.
The environmental cost equation changes significantly when considering the proximity to renewable peat sources. For those close to Canada's peat bogs, peat may be an option for me and my North American gardening friends for decades yet- with no guilt. Conversely, in regions far from sustainable peat sources, alternatives like coir already are preferable to continued peat use.
Although I disagree with the term 'sustainable' when discussing coir, I'll agree clarifying that it is actually a byproduct that would otherwise be composted or discarded—suggests using "coco coir" in any meaningful way is a worthy goal. I just wish we all compared apples-to-apples.
I've seen similar "in defense of peat" articles in the past and realize that as a North American peat user, my options (and thus my decisions) are different from those for gardeners and horticulturists in much of Europe.
The source of peat varies greatly between regions. I use both peat and coir—and actually mix my media: 1 part peat to 2 parts coir (+ aggregates as needed). I plan to continue this practice. However, I've always been frustrated by the marketing of coco coir as 'sustainable' with the implication that North American (i.e., Canadian) peat bogs are lumped into the same "peat bucket" as sources from peat bogs that are NOT regenerating.
A fair comparison of the environmental 'costs' of Canadian peat vs. coir must consider several factors:
1. **Environmental Impact**:
- **Peat**: Harvesting peat in Canada is 'claimed' by that industry to be regulated in a way that allows for the restoration of peat bogs, minimizing long-term environmental damage. I compare it to the U.S. or Canadian lumber industry—which makes the same claim, and you may disagree. I've lived around timber areas in the western U.S. and am well-aquainted with the differences in a 'managed forest' and an 'old growth' forest that has never been logged, and can imagine a 'managed peat bog' would be far different from a pristine, untouched bog- but that's not our discussion here.
- **Coir**: The establishment of coconut farms at some point involved the conversion of natural habitats. Additionally, coconut farming requires significant water and fertilizer inputs. I factor these into my "environmental cost" equation—you may not.
2. **Transportation**:
- **Peat**: Canadian peat has a relatively short transportation route to my location in the U.S., reducing its carbon footprint. Yes, it has emissions and fossil fuel costs.
- **Coir**: Coir, imported from tropical regions, involves long transportation routes that increase fossil fuel use and associated pollution to my location. If you must ship either coir or peat long distances to your location, this would factor in.
3. **Sustainability Claims**:
- **Peat**: In North America, especially in Canada, peat harvesting companies claim it is sustainable for many decades at present consumption. This includes efforts to replenish and restore peat bogs after harvesting. It's a claim you may or may not believe, but compare it to coir below.
- **Coir**: Because it is a byproduct of the coconut industry, it's sustainable only as long as coconut farms produce coconut for consumption, continuing their inputs of water, fertilizer and fossil fuel, to both grow and harvest the coconut and transport the coir to me.
The environmental cost equation changes significantly when considering the proximity to renewable peat sources. For those close to Canada's peat bogs, peat may be an option for me and my North American gardening friends for decades yet- with no guilt. Conversely, in regions far from sustainable peat sources, alternatives like coir already are preferable to continued peat use.
Although I disagree with the term 'sustainable' when discussing coir, I'll agree clarifying that it is actually a byproduct that would otherwise be composted or discarded—suggests using "coco coir" in any meaningful way is a worthy goal. I just wish we all compared apples-to-apples.