• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
    California, USA
    Credit: National Marine Sanctuaries, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Seaforestation—restoring and expanding kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and other marine vegetation—offers coastal communities a powerful carbon drawdown strategy with numerous co-benefits, crucial for building resilience against climate change.

Seaforestation is an exceptionally effective carbon sink, sequestering CO2 faster and more permanently than terrestrial forests. Additionally, it provides an estimated $500 billion annually in ecosystem services, including supporting fisheries, improving water quality, and enhancing coastal resilience.

Key benefits include:

  • Enhanced Coastal Protection: Natural buffers against storm surge and erosion.
  • Improved Water Quality: Filtering pollutants and excess nutrients.
  • Biodiversity Support: Providing crucial habitat for diverse marine species.
  • Ocean Acidification Mitigation: Absorbing CO2 and protecting coral reefs.
  • Sustainable Fisheries Enhancement: Supporting healthy fish populations and aquaculture.

Integrating seaforestation involves:

  • Nature-Based Infrastructure: Incorporating kelp and seagrass as green infrastructure.
  • Prioritize Seaforestation: Integrating kelp forest restoration into coastal plans.
  • Regenerative Ocean Farming: Exploring seaweed and shellfish aquaculture within projects.
  • Expert Collaboration: Engaging marine scientists for ecologically sound designs.
  • Community Education: Raising awareness about seaforestation’s importance.
  • Policy Advocacy: Supporting policies incentivizing seaforestation in coastal developments.