While many are familiar with the concept of carbon sinks like forests and other terrestrial ecosystems that absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, fewer know about the incredibly powerful carbon capture and storage service provided by coastal marine ecosystems. These are referred to as “blue carbon” sinks.
What is Blue Carbon?
Ecosystems along the coasts act as massive carbon sinks, quietly removing and storing massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and oceans. These underappreciated coastal habitats like mangrove forests, salt marshes and seagrass are what scientists refer to as “blue carbon” ecosystems. Despite covering just a sliver of the planet, they can sequester carbon far more effectively than terrestrial forests. Yet human activities are destroying these invaluable climate allies at a feverish pace, haemorrhaging their stored carbon back into the environment. This blog post explores the importance of blue carbon and its grave threats and explores pathways to protect and restore these ecosystems as a key solution for curbing climate change.
Why is Blue Carbon Important?
Blue carbon can capture and store 3-5 times more CO2 than tropical rainforests over long periods due to waterlogged, low-oxygen soil conditions that prevent organic matter breakdown. Mangroves alone are estimated to sequester around 24 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually. They also help to protect coastlines from storms and flooding. For all of these reasons, we must conserve the blue carbon ecosystem.
However, although some coastal ecosystems are in better condition, some places are still under threat from human hands. Whether it is building a dam, a port, a resort, or developing areas along the coast. including fishing and aquaculture. They all play a part in causing the degradation of seagrass resources.
Therefore, it should be turned to pay attention to the production process that releases low carbon and is environmentally friendly. To balance the ecosystem and connect to low carbon society Through the absorption of carbon from the forest or Green Carbon and the Blue Carbon ecosystem, as well as increasing the proportion of income from a sustainable green business in the future.
Is blue carbon bad?
No, blue carbon is not bad at all. Blue carbon ecosystems like mangrove forests, salt marshes, and seagrass provide tremendously valuable services in mitigating climate change and supporting coastal communities and biodiversity.
What is a blue carbon credit?
Several voluntary carbon markets already offer protocols for blue carbon crediting, with more likely coming as interest grows. Scaling up financial incentives through blue carbon credits could provide a major boost for the conservation of these important coastal habitats globally.
These credits can then be sold on carbon markets to companies, governments or individuals seeking to offset their carbon footprints or meet emission reduction targets. The revenues generated from blue carbon credit sales provide crucial funding for conservation and restoration projects.
Where are coastal blue carbon ecosystems found?
Coastal blue carbon ecosystems are found in shallow water environments along shorelines and in sheltered coastal areas around the world.
While blue carbon ecosystems can be found on coastlines globally, their distribution and prevalence are highest in tropical and subtropical regions that provide warm temperatures and adequate sunlight to support high biological production and growth of mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. Historically, temperate and Arctic areas have had less coverage but still host significant blue carbon habitats.
Unfortunately, all types of coastal blue carbon ecosystems are experiencing rapid global decline due to coastal development, pollution, climate change impacts and other stressors. Conserving and restoring these vital habitats wherever they still exist is increasingly important.
Reference:
- 3. IOC Coastal blue carbon ecosystems.pdf (unfccc.int)
- Blue Carbon: What You Need to Know – ESG | The Report (esgthereport.com)
- Climate Expainer: Blue Carbon and its Importance in Tackling Climate Change (worldbank.org)
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