Blue carbon is stored in mangroves, seagrass and sediments. Discussions at the UN Ocean Decade conference reiterate the importance of preserving existing sea floor habitats, before it’s too late.

Seagrasses need light to remain resilient to marine heatwaves – water pollution disrupts that balance.

One meadow made enough sand to create a new island in 18 years.

One meadow made enough sand to create a new island in 18 years.

‘Blue carbon’ habitats can store a lot of carbon – but not reliably enough to offset emissions.

Seagrass meadows are a powerful ally in the effort to slow climate change and reverse wildlife losses.

Healthy seagrasses form underwater meadows teeming with fish and shellfish. A successful large-scale restoration project in Virginia could become a model for reseeding damaged seagrass beds worldwide.