Name: The unexpected, underwater plant fighting climate change
Uploaded: 2022-01-18T15:55:44Z
Duration: 12 min 6 s
Description: Once considered the ugly duckling of environmental conservation, seagrass is emerging as a powerful tool for climate action. From drawing down carbon to filtering plastic pollution, marine scientist Carlos M. Duarte details the incredible things this oceanic hero does for our planet -- and shows ingenious ways he and his team are protecting and rebuilding marine life.

Once considered the ugly duckling of environmental conservation, seagrass is emerging as a powerful tool for climate action. From drawing down carbon to filtering plastic pollution, marine scientist Carlos M. Duarte details the incredible things this oceanic hero does for our planet -- and shows ingenious ways he and his team are protecting and rebuilding marine life.

The unexpected, underwater plant fighting climate change

Seagrass covers just 0.1 percent of the ocean floor, yet it locks away one-third of all carbon stored in the seafloor each year. Some meadows hold more carbon per hectare than the Amazon rainforest and have survived for over 200,000 years. These ancient underwater ecosystems not only fight climate change but also protect coastlines and nurture marine life. After decades of loss, active restoration and creative partnerships are helping seagrass make a comeback worldwide.