Fen, Bog, and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis

In her latest nonfiction work, Pulitzer Prize–winning Proulx (Barkskins) makes it clear that fens, bogs, and swamps are not synonyms. All are wetlands, but each is a specific type. This “science with a personal story” book is enhanced by Gabra Zackman’s pitch-perfect narration. She brings clarity to the technical aspects and exudes warmth in intimate sections, such as when Proulx professes her love of the outdoors, passed on from her mother, and reveals nostalgic childhood memories communing with nature. The importance of peatlands—their history and destruction, as well as their future—are covered in depth. Unsurprisingly, Proulx reveals that the natural world can self-heal, but that once humans destroy systems, restoration is not easy; such projects can be successful but are not guaranteed, and they take time. Yet rehabilitation of wetlands is happening throughout the world. Hopefully it will be enough for real change and a rebalancing of the ecology in areas that are supposed to be wet.