Scientists in Indonesia call for saving world's carbon-rich peat lands

Scientists with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Daniel Murdiyarso, Kristell Hergoualc'h and Louis Verchot call for a special focus on peatlands in any future deal on REDD+.

BOGOR, Indonesia -- Massive amounts of carbon are being released into the atmosphere as swathes of forests growing on peat swamps in Southeast Asia are being converted to palm oil plantations, prompting scientists to call for a special focus on them in the upcoming climate talks, China's Xinhua news agency reported citing a press statement here.