The Seaweed Revolution

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A revolution is coming

The seaweed industry is on the cusp of transformation.

Twelve thousand years of agriculture has left little space on land to meet the needs of a growing population. And, in our oceans the combined pressures of global warming, pollution and over-exploitation has left ecosystems in desperate need of repair.

Seaweed can provide the answer.

Seaweed is an incredible natural resource. It has the potential to help address some of the most intractable challenges of our time, and it can provide a long-term source of income for coastal communities around the world.

  • Seaweed can add 10% to the world’s present supply of food using just 0.03% of the oceans’ surface.
  • Seaweed and microscopic algae is responsible for 50% of photosynthesis on Earth. 
  • By 2050, seaweed production could absorb 135m tons of CO2 a year and 30% of all nitrogen entering the oceans from land-based pollution.

The Seaweed Manifesto

We are part of a global movement driving the development of an upscaled, responsible seaweed industry that increases food and biomass production while decreasing environmental impact.

Seaweed may be a gamechanger in the future of food, feed, fuel, carbon capture and storage, and medicine, to name just a few areas. Scientific research, industrial innovation and new operations can, together with governments and multilateral organisations, open the path for these new industries to deliver on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Supporting the SDGs

Seaweed has the potential to make a significant contribution to nine of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Seaweed production will ensure a sustainable and reliable food source for human consumption as the global population continues to expand.

Seaweed is a rich source of vitamins and a key component in pharmaceuticals and other health products.

With women forming a large part of the seaweed workforce, the development of the seaweed industry will provide them with independence and financial inclusion.

Seaweed might have potential as a biofuel to contribute to replace reliance on fossil fuels.

The rapid growth in the seaweed market secures employment for millions of people and communities across the globe.

Seaweed plays an important role in the development of new biodegradable packaging solutions and allows for local processing.

Seaweed is critical in addressing the climate challenge: it sequesters greenhouse gases and decreases acidification of the oceans.

Seaweed beds regenerate marine eco systems by absorbing pollutants that are dissolved in the ocean and provide safe marine habitats, and helps to increase biodiversity.

Seaweed can play an important role in the development of natural fertilisers that restore nutrients in the soil 

And through the work of the Global Seaweed Coalition, we are contributing to a further two Sustainable Development Goals  

Expansion of the seaweed industry has the potential to drive industry and establish infrastructure in developing coastal nations 

The Global Seaweed Coalition has been developed specifically to drive collaboration and partnership throughout the entire seaweed value chain.