Blue Carbon

Blue Carbon Latest News

Recent studies suggest that mangroves and coastal wetlands annually sequester carbon at a rate 10 times greater than mature tropical forests.

About Blue Carbon

• Blue Carbon is the carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems.
• The world’s mangroves, sea grasses and salt marshes together comprise ‘blue carbon ecosystems.’ They are nature’s most effective carbon sinks.
• Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows sequester and store more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests and are now being recognised for their role in mitigating climate change.
• Activities are causing loss of coastal blue carbon ecosystems
  • The main causes of conversion and degradation of blue carbon ecosystems vary around the world but are largely driven by human activities.
  • Common drivers are aquaculture, agriculture, mangrove forest exploitation, terrestrial and marine sources of pollution and industrial and urban coastal development.

Significance of Blue Carbon Ecosystems

• They have the potential to help people and coastal environments mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• They help sustain the environment by mitigating climate change.
• These ecosystems also provide essential benefits for climate change adaptation, including coastal protection and food security for many coastal communities.

Blue Carbon FAQs

Q1: What is blue carbon vs green carbon?

Ans: Blue carbon is the carbon stored and sequestered by coastal and marine ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes. Green carbon is the carbon stored by terrestrial ecosystems, including forests and other land-based vegetation.

Q2: What is purple carbon?

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Ans: Carbon captured through the air or industrial emissions.

Q3: What is brown carbon UPSC?

Ans: It is released by the combustion of organic matter

Q4: What is green carbon?

Ans: Green carbon is the carbon stored in the plants and soil of natural ecosystems

Q5:What are the benefits of blue carbon?

Ans: It benefits wildlife, water quality, storm surge protection, and local economies.

Source: DTE