Kelp is often promoted as a climate change solution, with bold claims about its ability to sequester carbon, produce oxygen, and restore ocean health. But how much of this is actually backed by science? Let’s take a closer look.
Does Kelp Really Sequester Carbon?
It’s true that kelp absorbs CO₂ as it grows, but what happens after that? Unlike trees, which can store carbon for decades, kelp doesn’t offer long-term sequestration. When it decomposes or gets eaten by marine life, most of the stored carbon is released back into the ocean as CO₂. Only a small fraction sinks into deep-sea sediments, where it could potentially be locked away. In contrast, phytoplankton plays a much bigger role in capturing and storing carbon in the ocean.
How Much Oxygen Does Kelp Actually Produce?
Yes, kelp generates oxygen through photosynthesis, but mostly in its immediate surroundings. When it comes to the ocean’s oxygen supply on a global scale, phytoplankton does the heavy lifting. The idea that kelp farming will significantly impact ocean oxygen levels is misleading.
Can Kelp Farming Restore Ocean Health?
Kelp forests are valuable marine habitats, providing food and shelter for fish and other marine life. But wild kelp forests already perform this function naturally and efficiently. Farming kelp may improve local habitats, but it’s not a large-scale solution for ocean restoration. In fact, farming comes with its own environmental costs, including the use of boats, ropes, and anchors, all of which contribute to emissions and potential marine disruption.
Kelp is Valuable – But It’s Not a Climate Fix-All
Kelp plays an important role in marine ecosystems, but it’s not a magic solution for climate change. Instead of overhyping its benefits, we should focus on using it in ways that truly align with sustainability.