Denmark is investing heavily in restoring carbon-rich agricultural soils as wetlands to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, new research from Aarhus University shows that financial compensation alone is not enough to persuade landowners to participate.

Based on in-depth interviews with Danish farmers and landowners, the study highlights that decisions are shaped not only by economics, but also by identity, responsibility, uncertainty, and a deep attachment to the land. Farming practices are closely tied to values about what it means to be a “good farmer,” and these social norms can make it difficult to accept land-use changes such as rewetting fields.

The findings underline that successful climate policies must go beyond financial incentives and address the social and cultural dimensions of land management.

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin have found that there’s a significant amount of rare earth elements trapped in the coal and coal ash supply of the Gulf Coast — with a total value of over $187 billion. However, when broken down by the ton, the value of rare earth elements is relatively low: less than $5 per ton for both coal and coal ash. While that return is likely not enough to found a new industry for exclusively extracting the rare earth elements, it could be appealing for companies that are already processing coal and coal ash for other purposes — from fuel to road materials.