UNESCO explains blue carbon to be the organic carbon deposited in coastal and marine ecosystems. Mangroves, tidal and salt marshes, and seagrasses are exceptionally productive coastal ecosystems noted for their capacity to store carbon in the form of vegetation and sediments below.[1]
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has determined that, when compared to terrestrial forests, coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows absorb more carbon per unit of area. According to a recent McKinsey & Co. blue carbon research, oceans have absorbed 40% of human-produced carbon emissions since 1850. However, habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing are eroding oceans' potential to mitigate climate change.[2]
Source: OceanWealth
Despite their importance, coastal blue carbon habitats are among the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet. The natural, pre-industrial breadth of coastal wetlands has fallen by over half during the nineteenth century, at a rate four times that of tropical forest cover reduction. Current estimates of annual losses range from 0.5 percent to 3 percent. Coastal ecosystem degradation is typically caused by the removal of mangrove forests, urban and industrial coastal development, pollution, and agricultural and aquaculture pressures. While its presence boosts a better environment, its loss accounts for higher emissions. Blue carbon habitats are sources of greenhouse gas emissions due to their high carbon content when lost or degraded. Current carbon losses from blue carbon habitats are estimated to account for up to 19% of worldwide deforestation emissions.[3]
Beyond the scientific community, a wide range of institutions have become interested in blue carbon, including conservation and private sector groups, governments, and intergovernmental organizations dedicated to marine conservation as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation. By pressuring them to address information gaps and uncertainties necessary to guide policy and management decisions, these conservation and policy players have energized the scientific community.[4]
Research works are moving in full swing trying to learn the various factors the Blue-Carbon chain works on, the planktons and carbon cycles that keep it going, and drafting policies to keep the efforts alive. Instead of waiting on large organizations to handle everything, we can all do our part to keep the times of change rolling. Making a double-take before carelessly dumping plastic about is unquestionably the greatest start
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has determined that, when compared to terrestrial forests, coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows absorb more carbon per unit of area. According to a recent McKinsey & Co. blue carbon research, oceans have absorbed 40% of human-produced carbon emissions since 1850. However, habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing are eroding oceans' potential to mitigate climate change.[2]
Source: OceanWealth
Despite their importance, coastal blue carbon habitats are among the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet. The natural, pre-industrial breadth of coastal wetlands has fallen by over half during the nineteenth century, at a rate four times that of tropical forest cover reduction. Current estimates of annual losses range from 0.5 percent to 3 percent. Coastal ecosystem degradation is typically caused by the removal of mangrove forests, urban and industrial coastal development, pollution, and agricultural and aquaculture pressures. While its presence boosts a better environment, its loss accounts for higher emissions. Blue carbon habitats are sources of greenhouse gas emissions due to their high carbon content when lost or degraded. Current carbon losses from blue carbon habitats are estimated to account for up to 19% of worldwide deforestation emissions.[3]
Beyond the scientific community, a wide range of institutions have become interested in blue carbon, including conservation and private sector groups, governments, and intergovernmental organizations dedicated to marine conservation as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation. By pressuring them to address information gaps and uncertainties necessary to guide policy and management decisions, these conservation and policy players have energized the scientific community.[4]
Research works are moving in full swing trying to learn the various factors the Blue-Carbon chain works on, the planktons and carbon cycles that keep it going, and drafting policies to keep the efforts alive. Instead of waiting on large organizations to handle everything, we can all do our part to keep the times of change rolling. Making a double-take before carelessly dumping plastic about is unquestionably the greatest start