Blue carbon...our hidden ally in the face of climate and biodiversity crises

Arabia Weather - Economy Now - The Earth is currently witnessing multiple environmental crises, most notably climate change and the loss of biodiversity, and excessive emissions of greenhouse gases contribute to rising global temperatures, leading to the melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and increasing the severity and frequency of phenomena. Extreme weather, and the destruction of natural habitats leads to the loss of many living species, which threatens the ecological balance and negatively affects ecosystems and the services they provide to humans.

In the face of these crises, coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrass meadows and salt marshes, can play a crucial role in addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity. These systems are known as “blue carbon” due to their superior ability to absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere. Which helps reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases.

What is blue carbon?

“Blue carbon” refers to carbon captured from the atmosphere and stored in marine and coastal ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, mangroves and tidal marshes, which have a high capacity to remove carbon and store it for long periods.

The importance of blue carbon :

• Carbon removal : Blue carbon ecosystems store up to 5 times more carbon per area than tropical forests.
• Reducing climate change : Helps build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• Preserving biodiversity : Supports a wide range of marine and coastal species.

How to protect blue carbon ecosystems and harness their power

• Adopting best practice guidance : It is essential to follow the guidance of leading environmental groups, such as the UNFCCC Climate Champions, to ensure that the latest and best approaches are applied in protecting blue carbon ecosystems.

• Ensure social participation : All stakeholders, including local communities and indigenous people, must be involved in the planning and implementation process of environmental projects. This ensures that projects are sustainable and acceptable to all stakeholders.

• Diversify financing options : It is important to consider a variety of financing options to support blue carbon projects, including the adoption of blue carbon credits and non-market financing, as this ensures the long-term sustainability of projects and provides the necessary flexibility to meet financial challenges.

How do blue carbon ecosystems help people and the planet?

1. Conserving biodiversity : These systems provide habitats for a wide range of marine and coastal species, helping to support local food systems and fishing industries.
2. Protecting coastlines from storms, floods and erosion: Blue carbon ecosystems play a key role in protecting coastlines from wave action and storm surge, reducing damage caused by extreme weather events.
3. Improving food and water security: These systems contribute to improving water quality and food security by protecting fresh water resources and providing nursery areas for fish and invertebrates.
4. Sustaining coastal economies: Blue carbon ecosystems provide recreational and tourism opportunities that can boost the local economy and create new jobs in the ecotourism industry.

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