#Afforestation #deforestation #Mangroves #Marine Protection
Doug Fogelson
Climate change is a large challenge, the potential solutions are also large-and impactful. When we look to the world’s oceans, forests, and ecosystems, we see incredible opportunities for carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery, and climate resilience. As outlined in Paul Hawken’s seminal book Regeneration (2021), there are numerous solutions, many of which are already underway but require greater global focus and support.
Marine ecosystems are among the most effective natural solutions to climate change. Protected marine areas increase oxygen production, draw down carbon dioxide, and enhance overall carbon sequestration. By enforcing no-fishing zones and protecting keystone species like sharks, fish populations thrive, helping to restore biodiversity across the ecosystem.
Kelp and Seagrass are two powerful allies in carbon sequestration. They not only absorb carbon but also provide essential habitat for a wide range of marine life. However, these benefits take time to manifest, with a decade being a typical benchmark for optimal results.
Mangroves are another vital ecosystem. They can sequester up to 2-4 times more carbon per acre than tropical forests. They also act as a buffer against sea-level rise and provide habitat in both saltwater and freshwater areas. Unfortunately, nearly half of the world’s mangroves have been lost to development, agriculture, and industry since the 1980s. Widespread restoration and protection of mangroves could sequester billions of tons of greenhouse gases by 2030.
In addition, methods like upwelling, which bring cool, nutrient-rich water to the ocean surface, can help heal coral reefs and enhance carbon storage in deep ocean sinks. Other marine solutions include regulating the use of oceans for fishing, farming, and mining, stopping industrial dredging, and protecting tidal salt marshes—ecosystems that can store nearly one ton of carbon per acre.
Forests are some of the most valuable resources we have in the fight against climate change. They provide habitat, regulate watersheds, clean the air, store carbon, and influence weather patterns. Forests are also home to many indigenous communities whose cultures are deeply intertwined with the land.
However, deforestation—driven by agriculture, mining, and urban development—removes one of our planet’s most powerful defenses against climate change. The degradation of forests, through fires, pests, and droughts, only worsens the problem. With climate change intensifying these threats, it’s more urgent than ever to protect and preserve our forests.
Reforestation (planting trees) and afforestation (creating new forests) are valuable strategies for combating climate change. However, proforestation—protecting and restoring existing old-growth forests—is far more effective. These mature forests hold vast amounts of carbon, and the ground beneath them is a significant carbon store. Deforestation, particularly in boreal forests in Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia, releases this stored carbon, exacerbating climate change. Boreal forests are particularly vulnerable to logging and mining, and old-growth trees are especially important because they store far more carbon than younger trees. Protecting and regenerating these forests should be a global priority.
Tropical forests, like the Amazon and those in the Congo Basin, also serve as major carbon sinks. Unfortunately, they are being destroyed at an alarming rate, primarily due to logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development. If deforestation continues, these forests may no longer be able to absorb carbon, and their ability to mitigate climate change will diminish in just a few decades.
Peatlands, which include swamps, bogs, and heaths, are critical ecosystems for carbon storage. They act as natural carbon sinks, sequestering large amounts of carbon in their waterlogged soils. In permafrost areas, peatlands can contain powerful greenhouse gases like methane, which are released when these areas are disturbed.
The majority of global peatlands are found in regions like Indonesia, where they are often cleared for palm oil plantations. This destruction not only releases carbon into the atmosphere but also contributes to devastating fires, which have released billions of tons of carbon in recent years. Restoring peatlands to their natural state—while reducing demand for palm oil—could be a key strategy in mitigating climate change.
Grasslands are another often-overlooked but crucial ecosystem for carbon storage. The carbon is stored primarily in the underground root systems of the plants that cover vast areas of the earth. Protecting these areas and promoting sustainable land management practices can help preserve their role in sequestering carbon.
While many organizations are already working on these solutions—some offering carbon credits to offset emissions—the need for stronger regulation and enforcement is critical. Protecting and preserving marine and land areas through effective regulation is one of the most basic yet powerful tools we have to combat climate change.
Aligning with organizations focused on these efforts is an excellent way to amplify your impact. By signal boosting their work, signing petitions, and sharing important messages with leaders and communities, we can all help raise awareness and push for action. Volunteering time or donating to local or global climate initiatives can turn each of us into agents of change, playing a crucial role in the fight for a habitable planet.
