What is Blue Carbon?
“Blue carbon” is the carbon that is absorbed and stored naturally by marine and coastal – aka ‘blue’ – ecosystems. Mangrove forests are important blue carbon sinks, storing up to five times more carbon than land-based forests, because the deep mud between the trees’ propagated root systems effectively capture and store atmospheric carbon.
If the mangroves are destroyed, then all of the carbon stored within is released into the atmosphere. Therefore, this ability to store carbon, and maintain the ecosystem in a natural and pristine state, is crucial to mitigating the damaging effects of climate change.
WILDCOAST’s work to conserve carbon sequestering ecosystems, strengthen natural protected areas, develop and improve land-use planning and advance public policy for climate change adaptation, are all necessary steps to maintain a livable planet for future generations.
Mexico ranks fourth in the world for the country with the most mangroves (7,755.55 km2 = 5.1% of the world total), but in the last 40 years they have lost 9% of its coverage due to changes in land use, unsustainable coastal development, pollution and changes in the use of water.
Mangroves occupy 1.2% of Mexico’s total forest coverage, but conserving them can reduce 12% of carbon emissions caused by changes in land use by 2030 – also the deadline year for the Paris Climate Agreement.
The impact WILDCOAST’s blue carbon project has on the protection of mangrove ecosystems can easily position Mexico as a global leader in the fight against climate change.
