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Seaweed soaks up to five times more carbon dioxide than land-based plants and stabilizes local pH levels through the absorption, sequestration, and transformation of dissolved carbon dioxide into organic carbon, which helps prevent ocean acidification.
It’s also one of the fastest growing plants in the world. With the advancements we’re making in next-generation seaweed cultivation technology, we project our network of farms will sequester nearly 20 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the ocean every year by 2035. That’s a quarter of Quebec’s annual greenhouse gas emissions converted into sustainable, high-quality products that will not only boost our economy, but will also help people live healthier, happier lives.
Seaweed is a zero-input plant. It requires no fresh water, no fertilizer, no feed, and no land to grow, which, in our rapidly evolving world, are vital resources that should be saved for other purposes. In the era of climate change — as water, food, and land prices continue to rise — seaweed is rapidly becoming the most affordable and sustainable biomass on the planet.
The implementation of large-scale seaweed cultivation and the commercial production of downstream seaweed-based materials would not only create a consistent employment platform for individuals, but would also help attract and retain personnel in coastal communities around the country, helping boost local economies and promote an increase in population.
The introduction of new industries would also help drive new commercial opportunities for businesses looking to participate, and spark further technological innovation.
Much of Canada’s economy is still heavily reliant on foreign markets.
As the usage of seaweed and seaweed extracts continues to grow throughout various industries, so too will our dependence on international supply chains.
According to the World Bank, 98% of the world’s farmed seaweed is still dominated by Asia. Developing the scientific and technological infrastructure to begin manufacturing these goods here in Canada would not only make them cheaper in comparison to international competitors, it would also make us more economically independent and competitive on a global scale.
Seaweed farms can also act as artificial reefs and promote an increase in local biodiversity, while functioning as storm surge protectors which in turn can reduce the energy of currents and waves, thus providing protection for coastal communities and shellfish cultures.
Seaweed also reduces eutrophication in coastal areas through the absorption of excess nitrogen and dissolved phosphorus, which increases the concentration of oxygen in the water and helps heal dead zones incapable of sustaining marine life. It’s a reliable, self-sustaining crop that can and should be leveraged for the betterment of people and the planet alike.