PREFACE
The most crucial, climate-
combating coastal ecosystems
are disappearing faster than
anything on land and much may
be lost in a couple of decades.
If the world is to decisively deal with climate change, every source of emissions and every
option for reducing these should be scientifically evaluated and brought to the interna-
tional community’s attention.
The burning of fossil fuels is generating levels of what one This in turn will accelerate climate change, putting at risk com-
might term ‘brown’ and ‘black’ carbon in the atmosphere and munities including coastal ones along with other economically-
unless checked may take global temperatures above a threshold important assets such as coral reefs; freshwater systems and
of 2˚C. Dramatic reductions are possible by accelerating energy marine biodiversity as well as ‘hard’ infrastructure from ports
efficiency measures and boosting the deployment of cleaner to power-stations. Targeted investments in the sustainable
energy generation and renewables such as solar, wind and geo- management of coastal and marine ecosystems – the natural
thermal. Over the past few years science has been illuminating infrastructure – alongside the rehabilitation and restoration of
other sources of emissions and other opportunities for action. damaged and degraded ones, could prove a very wise transac-
Deforestation for example now accounts for close to 20% of tion with inordinate returns.
global greenhouse gas emissions.
This report, produced by some of the world’s leading scientists
In a matter of weeks, governments will meet in Copenhagen and in collaboration with the FAO and IOC-UNESCO, finds
where there is an urgency to Seal the Deal on a new and forward- that the most crucial, climate-combating coastal ecosystems
looking agreement. Part of that package of measures needs to cover less than 0.5% of the sea bed. But they are disappearing
include ‘green’ carbon – the carbon stored in the globe’s forests faster than anything on land and much may be lost in a couple
and their soils and especially in the tropics. Financing a part- of decades. These areas, covering features such as mangroves,
nership for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest salt marshes and seagrasses, are responsible for capturing and
Degradation (REDD) can play an important role in keeping that storing up to some 70% of the carbon permanenty stored in the
green carbon where it belongs while also assisting the develop- marine realm.
ment and employment objectives of developing economies by
giving an economic value to these vital ecosystem services. If we are to tackle climate change and make a transition to a re-
source efficient, Green Economy, we need to recognize the role
Science is now also telling us that we need to urgently address and the contribution of all the colours of carbon. Blue carbon,
the question of ‘blue’ carbon. An estimated 50% of the carbon in found and stored away in the seas and oceans, is emerging as
the atmosphere that becomes bound or ‘sequestered’ in natural yet another option on the palette of promising opportunities
systems is cycled into the seas and oceans – another example of and actions, one that can assist in delivering a bright rather
nature’s ingenuity for ‘carbon capture and storage’. However, as than a dark brown and ultimately black future.
with forests we are rapidly turning that blue carbon into brown
carbon by clearing and damaging the very marine ecosystems Achim Steiner
that are absorbing and storing greenhouse gases in the first place. UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director, UNEP
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