The health of the ocean has a direct impact on human life, the most obvious examples are overfishing and pollution. As more people are aware of the importance of the ocean, companies are focusing their corporate social responsibility programs on public education and conservation.
However, it is important to bridge the knowledge gap concerning the ocean. For example, Dr. Yopi Novita, ship design expert, IPB University, told Maritime Fairtrade it is important to raise awareness of how human activities are threatening the ocean but on the other hand, a healthy ocean can reduce the impact of greenhouse gases on the atmosphere. Therefore, it is to humankind’s benefit to conserve the ocean.
In the lead up to the Bali G20 Summit in November, where climate is one of the highlights, there is much discussion now on blue carbon. Blue carbon is the term for carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. Additionally, scientific assessments show that they can sequester two to four times more carbon than terrestrial forests and are thereby considered a key component of nature-based solutions to climate change.
Human activities give off carbon dioxide (CO2) that contains atmospheric carbon which is causing the world’s climate crisis. And the world’s ocean and coasts provide a natural way of reducing the impact of greenhouse gases on our atmosphere, through taking in of this carbon.
For example, sea grasses, mangroves, and salt marshes along the coasts “capture and hold” carbon, acting as something called a carbon sink. These coastal systems, though much smaller in size than the planet’s forests, sequester this carbon at a much faster rate, and can continue to do so for millions of years.
Most of the carbon taken up by these ecosystems is stored below ground and the carbon found in coastal soil is often thousands of years old. When these systems are damaged, an enormous amount of carbon is emitted back into the atmosphere, where it can then contribute to climate change.
Therefore, protecting and restoring coastal habitats is a good way to reduce climate change. When we protect the carbon in coastal systems, we protect healthy coastal environments that provide many other benefits to people, such as recreational opportunities, storm protection, and nursery habitat for commercial and recreational fisheries.
Arifin Rudiyanto, main expert planner, Ministry of National Development Planning, said the ocean can absorb 40 percent of CO2 emissions. However, the more the ocean absorbs, the more acidic it will become and in turn the sea temperature will rise and damage coral reefs, which play an important role in marine ecosystems. Coral reefs provide a nest for small fish and plankton, and without them, the whole food chain is disrupted. So, it is important not to overload the ocean with CO2.
Indonesia is estimated to be able to capture 3.3 giga tons or 17 percent of the global blue carbon. Indonesia, with the world’s largest mangroves at 3.3 million hectares and largest seagrass meadow at 293,000 hectares, must prioritize blue carbon.
Arifin said: “But implementing a national strategy and managing the huge potential of the blue carbon ecosystem in Indonesia cannot be done without coordination and integration with other key ministries and stakeholders.
“Guidance standards are needed in the management of blue carbon ecosystems, both at the regional and national levels. It is also necessary to develop a policy document that becomes the legal basis in the implementation of blue carbon management in Indonesia.”
Photo credit: Pixabay/ Kanenori
