December of the year 2021 is a month with many promises to bear. As we end this year with high environmental and social prospects, we must burst into the New Year with determination to extend the warmth this time brings.
Sea Green’s COO, Fred Puckle Hobbs, joins Jo Kelly of the Australian Seaweed Institute and Ronald Simbajon of the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines for a plenary session at Economist Impact’s World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific 2021.
COP26 in Glasgow will be remembered for many reasons, but none more so than for placing nature-based solutions in the spotlight, specifically blue carbon. Nature-based solutions (NbS) aren’t a new concept, nor are they something (for once) that humans can claim responsibility for.
Network Exchange, the monthly newsletter of the Micro Insurance Network, explores the combined Sea Green and MARI Oceans solution, taking a deep dive into the risk management requirement of coastal seaweed farmers.
Throughout 2021, Sea Green has been working with the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Ocean Business Action Platform, recently renamed to the Ocean Stewardship Coalition, on their Blue Road to COP26.
In this UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development it is little wonder that a sustainable crop has recently been thrust onto the global agenda as a coastal livelihood alternative that links economic growth both to food security and to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
BIODIVERSITY GAINS
Restoring abundance to local marine ecosystems through sustainable practices and coastal conservation projects
ECOLOGICAL ENHANCEMENT
Local moderation of ocean acidification and deoxygenation through nutrient removal and enhanced ecological conditions
DECARBONISATION
Replacing fossil-fuel based products with carbon negative seaweed products to drastically reduce value chain (Scope 3) emissions
CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL
Bio-sequestration (export to deep sea or coastal sediments) of carbon dioxide during seaweed cultivation (cultured and wild))
CLIMATE RISK REDUCTION
Data-driven insights to minimise the impact of increasing climate risks (e.g. marine heatwaves and heavy rainfall events) through environmental monitoring, water quality management and subsequent financial protection mechanisms
PLASTIC REDUCTION
Minimising local plastic pollution, microplastics and debris through sourcing of alternative sustainable production materials
INCOME DIVERSIFICATION
Diversifying revenue streams through integrated aquaculture systems and product innovation
DIGITAL LITERACY
Enhancing global connectivity and boosting digital capabilities for upstream actors
EDUCATION
Providing online modules to improve financial literacy, sustainable practices and business productivity
EQUITABLE GROWTH
Redistribution of wealth to equitably represent value in productivity through transparency and fair trade
JOB CREATION
Local jobs created and stabilised through technology, data and systems management, community and restoration operations, and services
MARKET STABILITY
Reducing price volatility and stabilising income for primary producers to foster strong markets
POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Breaking poverty cycle for farmers through increased earnings and diversified income
ACCESS TO FINANCE
Development and provision of needs-based financial products for empowering household resilience
