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It’s hard to ignore that most climate actions, including at COP26, are missing over 70% of our planet: the oceans
November 15, 2021 – As COP26 wraps up, we heard many commitments, pronouncements and discussions about how to embrace “nature-based solutions” like tree-planting (e.g. Trillion Tree Campaign).
But it’s hard to ignore that most climate actions – including at COP26 – are missing over 70% of our planet: the oceans. It’s time our world leaders embrace ocean-based solutions, too.
“One such solution that Ocean Wise is actively working on is to restore, cultivate and protect the world’s underwater forests,” says Lasse Gustavsson, Ocean Wise’s president and CEO. “Kelp forests have been severely depleted , but they offer massive potential to drawdown carbon from the atmosphere – aka carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
“In fact, as some of the fastest growing organisms on the planet kelp forests have the potential to sequester far more carbon per square kilometer than terrestrial forest ecosystems – up to a whopping 20 times more, according to studies. It is estimated that one square kilometer of properly managed seaweed forests could sequester over 1,000 tons of CO2 every year, the equivalent of heating over 600 homes. And, unlike trees on land, they aren’t at risk of burning and releasing that carbon back into the atmosphere,” adds Gustavsson.
Even the deputy director of the UNU-EHS (United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Society), Dr. Zita Sebesvari, noted that, “While the Declaration (to reverse deforestation by 2030) is a much-welcomed step, we need to go beyond forests and look also for example at grasslands, peatlands, marshes and marine ecosystems, all of which build on the rich diversity of ecosystems for adaptation, disaster risk reduction and biodiversity.”
Planting more kelp – aka Seaforestation – also has benefits for biodiversity, Indigenous-led coastal stewardship and economic potential – including using kelp for cattle feed that can reduce methane emissions as much as 98%. With Canada joining over 80 other countries in a pledge to slash global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 at COP26, the relationship between seaforestation and methane reduction is a win-win prospect.
Lasse Gustavsson, the president and CEO of Ocean Wise, is available to be interviewed about the role ocean-based solutions are playing in the fight against climate change – and the untapped opportunities they present – please see the contact information below.
Media contact:
Benjamin Aubé, Communications & Engagement
Ocean Wise
Benjamin.Aube@ocean.org
Ocean Wise®
Ocean Wise is a globally focused conservation organization on a mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Through research, education, direct-action conservation and field projects, we empower communities to take action for ocean health. We’re focused on tackling three major ocean challenges: overfishing, ocean pollution and climate change. Ocean Wise is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with staff and initiatives across Canada. www.ocean.org
Lasse Gustavsson, Ocean Wise President and CEO
Lasse Gustavsson has dedicated his career to nature conservation and sustainable development with several decades of international experience at Greenpeace International, WWF Sweden, WWF International and Oceana. His expertise includes regional and global program strategy as well as policy and advocacy work at the highest political levels. Lasse studied at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden and IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland.
