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How Seaweed Helps Fight Climate Change

There are a number of ways in which seaweed actually helps fight climate change. Seaweed absorbs carbon, nitrogen, and can help reduce methane levels.

How Seaweed Helps Fight Climate Change

Did you know that…

  • Seaweed absorbs 200 times more carbon than land forests?
  • By feeding seaweed to cows, we can reduce the amount of methane that is released into the atmosphere?
  • Seaweed absorbs nitrogen (a greenhouse gas) and can replace chemical fertilizers by slowly releasing that nitrogen back into soil?
  • Seaweed farms provide a habitat for fish and other marine life?

It's true! Seaweed is also very sustainable to farm, requiring no pesticides, fertilizer, or fresh water. Farming seaweed does not disturb ocean life and provides a decent income and safe working conditions for fishermen.

What Makes Our Oceans Warm?

Greenhouse gases are the main culprits of ocean warming. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and prevent it from escaping into space. The result is a gradual increase in Earth’s average temperature. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, but seaweed is a powerhouse in reducing climate change because it absorbs  200 times more carbon than land forests. Seaweed is a "carbon sink," which means it captures and stores carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

How Seaweed Can Help Reduce Methane Levels

Methane is a major factor in climate change.  It is a greenhouse gas that is produced when organic matter decomposes without oxygen present. Methane has a global warming potential of 28-36 over a 100-year period. This means that methane warms the Earth 28 to 36 times more than carbon dioxide over the course of 100 years!

Cows are one of the biggest producers of methane. In fact, they produce about 150 billion gallons of methane per year. But did you know that by feeding seaweed to cows, we can reduce the amount of methane that is released into the atmosphere?

Seaweed Absorbs Nitrogen

Nitrous oxide is another potent greenhouse gas and it comes from many sources, including agriculture. When nitrogen-based fertilizers are used on crops, it can lead to the release of nitrous oxide.

Seaweed can help reduce the amount of nitrogen in our atmosphere for two reasons. First, seaweed absorbs nitrogen. For this reason, it can be used as a natural fertilizer, because when seaweed decomposes, it releases nitrogen slowly back into the soil instead of all at once like chemical fertilizers. This slow release helps prevent nitrous oxide from being released into the atmosphere.

Farming Seaweed Is Sustainable

Not only does seaweed play a role in reducing climate change, but it is also very sustainable to farm! Seaweed requires no pesticides, fertilizer, or fresh water. It is also a renewable resource that can be farmed without disturbing ocean life. Additionally, farming seaweed provides a decent income and safe working conditions for fishermen.

Seaweed farms also provide a habitat for fish and other marine life. The seaweed itself does not disturb ocean life, and in fact, it can improve water quality. Seaweed farming is a sustainable way to produce food and help fight climate change.

Seaweed Is an Important Part of Our Ecosystem

Seaweed is an important part of our ecosystem, and we should all do our part to protect it and grow more of it! Here are some ways you can help:

  • Support sustainable seaweed farming initiatives.
  • Educate yourself and others about the importance of seaweed.
  • Eat more seaweed! Not only is it good for the environment, but it's also healthy for you. Seaweed is a great source of vitamins and minerals like iodine, iron, and calcium. It's also low in calories and fat.
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    To start integrating seaweed into your diet, shop our products!