Blue carbon is a term that refers to carbon captured and stored in the ocean through vegetation ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and sea grasses. This organic carbon se it accumulates in sediments and in this way is permanently preserved. Found on every continent except Antarctica and covering around 50 million hectares, twice the size of the UK, these ecosystems have the ability to help mitigate and adapt to climate change.

In addition to their enormous capacity to absorb carbon, they also serve to protect the coast from erosion, storm surges and rising ocean levels. Vegetation in these areas helps improve water quality by filtering pollutants, supports biodiversity by providing shelter for different species, and serves as nurseries for fish and shellfish. The good functioning of these systems contributes to increasing the resilience of people and communities to climate change and extreme weather events by protecting coastal areas and supporting marine life.

Blue carbon ecosystems are key to mitigating climate change, but their degradation through unsustainable development, deforestation and pollution can lead to the release of large amounts of stored carbon back into the atmosphere. According to the scientists, the carbon sequestration capacity of these ecosystems has declined significantly over the past 70 years, with the area of vegetated coastal habitats shrinking by 25 to 50 percent over the past 50 years.

The ocean carbon cycle involves countless processes that regulate Earth's climate and support the sustainability of marine life. Carbon sequestration occurs when carbon is removed from the cycle and permanently stored in marine sediment. Blue carbon can thus contribute to the fight against climate change by its ability to store carbon for long periods.

Investing in blue carbon is investing in a future where nature helps mitigate the effects of climate change and policymakers use data to support the sustainable management of oceans and coastal vegetation ecosystems. By preserving these areas, we support healthier coastlines, ecosystems and the planet as a whole. (Co2AI)