Draining Our Future - On peatlands, carbon, and the cost of restoring what we’ve lost

What happens when the ecosystems that could save us are already gone? In this episode of Matters of Consequence, Alexander Kornelsen, co-founder of Mission to Marsh, takes us inside the unseen world of peatlands, ecosystems that store more carbon than forests, regulate water, and protect against floods and droughts. The episode explores the systemic gaps in wetland restoration, the tension between tradition and transformation, and the quiet work of rewetting land that most people don’t even notice.Alex, a former marketing professional turned climate advocate, shares the raw realities of his journey. From the time he first heard about the challenges facing wetlands to the moment he realized 95% of Germany’s peatlands are already drained, Alex reveals the emotional weight of his mission: the struggle to balance urgency with patience, the cost of challenging the status quo, and the practical work of restoring what we’ve already lost. Stories like the fragility of rewetted land, "One rocket can destroy everything that we have restored in five years" illustrate the human cost of a system built on short-term thinking. Yet, amid the challenges, Alex also shares moments of hope, such as the potential of paludiculture to redefine sustainable land use.Why listen?Hear the realities of wetland restoration, from the first realization to the decision to act.Explore the systemic gaps in climate action, the cost of inaction, and the questions we’re not asking about the future of our landscapes.Understand the emotional toll of working in a field where urgency clashes with the need for long-term change.Discover moments of innovation and hope, like paludiculture, that are shaping the next decade of climate resilience.Gain insights into how Europe can restore its wetlands and the role of organizations like Mission to Marsh in global climate action.This episode is a must-listen for climate advocates, policymakers, farmers, or anyone who cares about the intersection of nature, responsibility, and the future of our planet. Whether you’re working in climate science, interested in sustainable agriculture, or simply want to understand the human side of systemic challenges, Alex’s story will leave you with new perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the unseen work that shapes our world.Keywords: Peatlands, wetland restoration, climate action, carbon storage, Mission to Marsh, paludiculture, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, environmental advocacy, Alex Kornelsen, German wetlands, rewetting peatlands, climate solutions, biodiversity, water regulation, flood protection, drought resilience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.