Protecting Major Ocean Carbon Sinks: Blue Carbon and Beyond

[Geoengineering News]

https://brill.com/view/journals/ocyo/40/1/article-p279_10.xml

Authors: Tim C. Jennerjahn, Raimund Bleischwitz, Judith Reise, and Achim Schlüter

01 September 2026

Abstract

This contribution addresses blue carbon from both a science and a policy perspective. It responds to the ability of the ocean to take up about one quarter of the anthropogenic CO2; hence it acts as a major natural carbon sink. Of particular importance are the so-called blue carbon ecosystems (mangrove forests, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows) and other coastal carbon sinks, because they are among the most efficient natural carbon sinks on Earth and most of them are easily actionable in the sense that human interventions can have direct positive effects on carbon storage, biodiversity and other ecosystem services. Measures to protect the ocean have seen a large increase in the past decade, however, they are still lagging behind protection on land. Moreover, a large fraction of marine protected areas are located in remote areas, often overseas territories, which are not exposed to intense human pressure and destruction. This article argues that well-designed community-led projects of blue carbon ecosystems could help benefit coastal ecosystems and local people. The focus should be placed on coastal ocean areas because of their multitude of ecosystem services, including the carbon sink function.

Source: Brill