The news that the Amazon area is now a net emitter of carbon [1]should come as no surprise to those of us who have followed the reckless activities of certain Brazilian politicians and their associates. The Amazon, the very lung of the planet, which might have protected us from so much climate damage, is giving out.
Fortunately, someone is taking up the slack. That someone is the English county of Sussex (East and West) which has launched a project of such potential that it offers hope for us all. They are going to plant kelp all they way along their shores, all the way from Chichester to Beachy Head. We could expend pages singing the praises of kelp-its benefits in the food and plastics industries, as fertiliser, and as a haven for marine life. We’ll let our links do the talking instead [2] [3] No, what we want is to draw your attention to the awe-inspiring powers of kelp as a carbon sequestration mechanism, in this excellent blog by Sylvia Hurliman [[4]
We have alluded to this project in previous blogs here (LSS 15 1 21) and in certain media outlets. And it’s so gratifying to learn about the progress which has been made since then, particulary when it starts to make national news. Sussex is showing the way.gentle readers. Will you pressure your Government to follow them?
[1]https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/19/amazon-deforestation-jair-
bolsonaro-rainforest-carbon-contributors
[2] https://sussexkelp.org.uk/
[3] https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/helpourkelp
[4]https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/how-kelp-naturally-combats-global-climate-change/
#amazon #carbon capture #global warming #kelp forest
Learning, Science and Society 