This article assesses seaweed farming as a climate solution and reports that increasing the amount of seaweed in the ocean could be an effective and sustainable solution for reducing greenhouse gas levels.
This report provides quantitative data and evidence to analyze the carbon sequestration potential of seaweed farming based on different levels of implementation of this solution and describes how macroalgae (seaweed) can be used as food and alternative fuel.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This nature-based solution to climate change is an exciting one to consider due to the vast coastal areas in which this could be implemented and the current innovation and growth in this sector.
This reading will support learners in developing their scientific literacy as they read a technical text with domain-specific vocabulary, multiple units of measurement, and a concise tone.
This is a great example of a win-win climate solution that benefits people and the planet.
Additional Prerequisites
Learners should be familiar with the unit gigaton, the unit in which carbon emissions are measured.
Learners should understand concepts such as carbon sequestration, ocean carbon sinks, carbon emissions, and macroalgae.
This interactive table of solutions can be used to show students the rankings of solutions by scenario on the Drawdown website and may make it easier to understand the relative impact of grassland protection.
Differentiation
The information in this article provides the opportunity for interdisciplinary study in science and economics by quantifying the different models' economic costs/benefits and environmental results of seaweed farming.
Consider having students discuss any potential social and economic barriers to seaweed farming and talk critically about the viability of this solution.
As an extension, students could investigate marine protected areas and consider how these areas could possibly support seaweed farming.
Scientist Notes
This resource introduces a solution to reducing emissions by developing and encouraging seaweed farming. A brief introduction of seaweed as a fast growing marine organism that absorbs high amounts of carbon dioxide that could aid in reducing emissions and become a large carbon sequestration opportunity. A methodology, scenarios, and models are provided along with a results and discussion about the scaling of seaweed farming. This site would be a great addition to a lesson discussing alternative methods to reducing carbon emissions. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11-12 texts and topics.
