The United Nations Environment Programme thinks we need to know more about marine and coastal ecosystems.
According to a statement on Thursday by UNEP Director Achim Steiner, scientists don't know enough about the ways in which oceans and climate interact. He thinks the interaction is big and important:
There is now growing evidence that marine and coastal ecosystems, such as sea grasses, mangroves and salt marshes, may play an important role in climate mitigation. ... Combined with reducing emissions from deforestation, the restoration of these ecosystems could deliver up to 25 percent of the emissions reductions needed to avoid dangerous climate change.
And he hopes that the UNEP and its Blue Carbon Initiative will be able to help deliver the science that will lead to global cooperation on the protection of oceans and coasts.
According to a statement on Thursday by UNEP Director Achim Steiner, scientists don't know enough about the ways in which oceans and climate interact. He thinks the interaction is big and important:
There is now growing evidence that marine and coastal ecosystems, such as sea grasses, mangroves and salt marshes, may play an important role in climate mitigation. ... Combined with reducing emissions from deforestation, the restoration of these ecosystems could deliver up to 25 percent of the emissions reductions needed to avoid dangerous climate change.
And he hopes that the UNEP and its Blue Carbon Initiative will be able to help deliver the science that will lead to global cooperation on the protection of oceans and coasts.
