​At first impression peatlands may seem like unproductive, moody and desolate places but under closer inspection they are teeming with insect, plant, animal and microbial life. They also provide flood protection and filter water. Peatland environments are a crucial carbon sink, but the significance of these sites is not often talked about in dialogue about climate change.

Scotland’s Flow Country peatlands contain almost three time as much carbon as all of the UK’s forests.

Metaphor is used to depict the ways humans have damaged peatlands, either for use as fuel, for compost, to plant trees or to build upon in the form of unwelcome phone calls, text messages, people knocking on the doors and windows of the house and finally, someone shouting at Peat. Interventions in both mental health and environmental management are complex, in a simplistic way, the film offers two possible interventions – the first recognising vulnerability and accepting help, in which another person directly intervenes and asks the harassers to leave Peat alone. The second involves empowerment of the individual or niche environment by allowing them to lead the conversation and this is shown by Peat taking the phone.

Thanks to Keith and Amy for their acting skills and helping to film during lockdown!

Thanks also to NatureScot for the peatland footage - you can find out more about their brilliant peatland restoration work here - https://www.nature.scot/climate-change/nature-based-solutions/peatland-action-project