Hans Joosten

Hans Joosten, a Dutch biologist known as the 'peat father,' has recently proposed the use of European wetlands as a natural defensive barrier against potential Russian aggression. He argues that marshy terrain can effectively impede heavy military equipment, citing historical examples of such tactics. Joosten advocates for the restoration of drained peatlands, highlighting their dual benefits of enhancing security and combating climate change by acting as significant carbon sinks. However, his ideas have faced opposition from local residents and farmers who depend on the drained land for their livelihoods, as well as from some NATO countries that prefer traditional military fortifications.