How Kelp Can Help

Anvi Padiyar
Edited by Teknos 2019-2020 Staff

The looming threat of climate change and deforestation has inspired people around the world to plant trees. As we know, trees are able to “inhale” carbon dioxide and “exhale” oxygen through photosynthesis. Trees of all kinds can reduce climate change and even provide habitats for many organisms. However, a new method of fighting climate change is currently in development on the shorelines of Tasmania, Indonesia, and the Philippines [3, 4]. Instead of planting trees, people are turning to planting kelp, but which method really is the most beneficial for defeating climate change?

The oceans have been storing 90% of the world’s carbon emissions since 1995. The 10% remaining acts as greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, destroying our ozone layer and melting ice caps and glaciers [3]. Unfortunately, similar to the declining population of trees from deforestation, this warming of ocean water has caused kelp numbers to dwindle as warm water has fewer nutrients than colder water [4]. Only 5% of all kelp remaining happens to be healthy and resistant to warming water [3]. Kelp, an algae seaweed, grows in “forests” in the Arctic and temperate shallow waters found along all continental coastlines except Antarctica. Acting as a natural buffer, kelp absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water and weakens wave shocks. As a result, kelp reduces the number of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and protects coastal cities from tropical storm destruction by preventing storm surges from reaching the coast [4]. Furthermore, kelp forests can produce oxygen and provide important habitats for underwater ecosystems. However, with global warming, water pollution, and overharvesting, kelp forest populations have decreased. For example, in the past decade, kelp populations decreased by 95% in Tasmania [3]. This decrease in population has caused a multitude of side effects from loss of aquatic ecosystems to lack of nourishment for coastal cities that feed on kelp. One of the worst side effects of this decrease is the loss of oxygen production.

Kelp produces almost 54% of the world’s oxygen. Because of its contributions, it is important that we take restorative measures to restore the diminishing kelp populations. However, planting kelp is not as simple as planting trees. With the warming waters, kelp has a difficult time growing. Fortunately, an innovative method has been created to increase kelp populations. Researcher Dr. Brian Von Herzen and his team at the Climate Foundation have implemented the marine permaculture system on the shorelines of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Tasmania [2, 3, 4]. This method works by planting kelp on submerged platforms, which are placed at a depth of 25 meters, by warm water shorelines and using a pump system powered by solar energy and wave energy to bring in colder, nutrient-rich water from the depths of the ocean to the kelp [2, 3]. Results have estimated that a square kilometer of submerged platforms can produce between three to ten thousand tons of kelp and can absorb ten thousand tons of carbon dioxide [4]. 

Not only a great climate regulator, kelp also benefits aquatic industries, underwater ecosystems, and food industries. Local fisheries have been affected by climate change as the warmer waters have reduced the number of kelp habitats for fish. Increasing the kelp population can regrow fish populations and stimulate the fishing industry that many coastline cities rely on. Kelp restoration can help small island territories and nations the most since they are the ones most affected by climate change [4]. Kelp allows these nations to be self-sufficient in food production and biofuel generation. Kelp can also be a source of nourishment for these nations since it is rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotics, and antioxidants like phytonutrients. These nutrients can lower blood pressure, feed useful gut bacteria, and act as anti-inflammatories [4]. This makes kelp a substantial source of nourishment for coastline locals. These nations could also sell carbon offsets to rich countries looking to neutralize their carbon use. Carbon offsets are agreements between countries in which a wealthy country’s carbon emission can be counteracted by the clean energy and lack of carbon emission of a smaller country.

So which method of combating climate change is more effective? Both methods are useful climate regulators that take in carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and provide ecosystems for a plethora of wildlife. By planting trees, we can easily make progress towards reducing the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. Tree planting is fairly simple, and many of us have planted them before. On the other hand, planting kelp is harder than trees, as kelp has a difficult time growing in the warming waters. Fortunately, kelp planting can become easier with a marine permaculture system. Although it may be a struggle to set up a marine permaculture system, planting kelp is more successful than planting trees because it absorbs up to 20 times more carbon dioxide from the air than trees [1]. For now, it’s best to stick to planting trees as scientists continue to set up kelp platforms and marine permaculture around the globe. Kelp has a bright, promising future in battling climate change, providing aquatic ecosystems, and helping out small nations, and it may be what we need for a healthier and more sustainable world. 

References

[1] Bedolfe, S. (2017, October 6). Seaweed could be scrubbing way more carbon from the atmosphere than we expected. Retrieved May 27, 2020, from https://oceana.org/blog/seaweed-could-be-scrubbing-way-more-carbon-atmosphere-we-expected 

[2] Climate Foundation. (n.d.). Marine permaculture. Retrieved June 16, 2020, from https://www.climatefoundation.org/marine-permaculture.html

[3] Liascos, E. (n.d.). How planting giant kelp forests can help save the planet. Retrieved May 27, 2020, from https://mygobe.com/explore/giant-kelp-forests/

[4] Moorhead, J. (2020, March 3). Trillion trees initiative, meet ocean forests! Retrieved May 27, 2020, from https://www.woi.economist.com/trillion-trees-initiative-meet-ocean-forests/