Assessing the climate impact potential of ocean-based solutions: Offshore wind leads, coastal ecosystems contribute modestly

Summary

This article examines ocean-based climate solutions, assessing their readiness and potential climate impact. Offshore wind is highlighted as the most impactful solution, with an estimated achievable impact of 1.90–3.04 Gt CO2-eq/yr. Protecting coastal wetlands and seaweed ecosystems could save an additional 0.21–0.30 Gt CO₂‑eq/yr. Other ocean actions like restoring ecosystems, reducing overfishing, improving aquaculture and fishing vessel efficiency, and protecting the seafloor contribute to climate goals but have relatively small estimated impacts. The article emphasizes that while many ocean-based solutions deserve funding, their worth must be weighed against other potentially more impactful solutions both at sea and on land.

Source

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