Blue carbon refers to carbon stored in coastal and marine environments. Oceans and places such as mangroves and sea grass are up to four times better at capturing and storing carbon than forests, scientists said.
Climate advocates at the U.N. conference are urging countries to restore their nations’ oceans and marine ecosystems, which have been plagued by pollution caused from industries such as shrimp farming and palm oil.
Emily Pidgeon, vice president of ocean science and innovation at Conservation International, an environmental nonprofit, said upwards of 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions could be removed from the environment if countries commit to restoration projects and blue carbon strategies. While that’s not a large number, Pidgeon said, these are things countries could do now.
“These are actions we could be taking today,” she said. “Where many technologies, which are very important, are still five decades [away] to come online.”
