NEWS

Blue carbon - resource

By A Mystery Man Writer

Blue carbon is the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems. Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows sequester and store more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests and are now being recognised for their role in mitigating climate change. These ecosystems also provide essential benefits for climate change adaptation, including coastal protection and food security for many coastal communities. However, if the ecosystems are degraded or damaged, their carbon sink capacity is lost or adversely affected, and the carbon stored is released, resulting in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) that contribute to climate change. Dedicated conservation efforts can ensure that coastal ecosystems continue to play their role as long-term carbon sinks.