SEAGRASS ENVIRONMENTS MUST BE SAVED

Seagrass meadows could be a powerful ally in the fight against climate change, according to a UN report. Though they cover only 0.1 per cent of the ocean floor, seagrasses store up to 18 per cent of the world’s oceanic carbon, provide food and livelihoods to hundreds of millions of people and support a rich biodiversity. But these habitats are being lost at an alarming rate of 7 per cent a year, making their protection and restoration crucial. “Seagrasses represent powerful nature-based solutions to the climate challenge and sustainable development,” said Susan Gardner, director of the ecosystems division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).