Elmeri Juuti (Finland) shows the strong colours of a mire contrasting with the surrounding land on a rainy day.
Elmeri wanted a photograph that would show the beauty of peat bogs in Finland and the threats they face.
He found this bog, also known as a mire, by studying maps and satellite images. He then used his drone to photograph it.
This once expansive mire used to be a habitat for a variety of animals including elk, golden plovers and curlews. Plants such as sphagnum moss and carnivorous sundews grew here too. But all around this tiny patch, the peat has been extracted for fuel.
Finland is one of the last countries in the world to use peat as a national energy source. Although it accounts for barely 5% of the country’s electricity, it is responsible for 12% of carbon emissions.
Finland has pledged to halve the amount of peat it burns by 2030.
Globally, peat extraction for gardening is also destroying these precious habitats and releasing carbon into the atmosphere. You can help protect peat bogs by buying peat-free compost.
Finland
Elmeri is a professional nature photographer and freelancer from Southwestern Finland. He started taking photographs and birding at the age of six. But even before that, nature was already a part of his life thanks to his father who himself loves nature and photographs. In 2021, he established his own photography-based company called Momentum of Nature. He also works seasonally as a photography and bird guide for Finnature.
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