The concept of 'blue carbon' refers to the carbon captured by the world's oceanic and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. These habitats sequester carbon at rates far exceeding those of terrestrial forests, storing it in biomass and sediment for millennia. However, their destruction releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Recent research highlights that protecting and restoring these ecosystems offers a dual benefit: climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Despite their ecological significance, blue carbon ecosystems receive less than 2% of global climate finance, underscoring a critical gap in policy prioritization.
❓ What is the main point of the passage?
A. Blue carbon ecosystems are more effective at storing carbon than forests, yet they are underfunded.
B. Mangroves and seagrasses are the only ecosystems that can mitigate climate change.
C. The destruction of blue carbon ecosystems has no impact on atmospheric carbon levels.
D. Global climate finance is equally distributed among all carbon-capturing ecosystems.
✅ Correct Answer
A. A) Blue carbon ecosystems are more effective at storing carbon than forests, yet they are underfunded.
