Saeid Baroutian, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Terrell Thompson, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Rotting seaweed has plagued the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, US and West African coasts for a decade. So we’ve developed a new approach to turn what’s now rubbish into green electricity and fertiliser.
Seaweed was thought to be a vital tool in the fight to slow climate change. But it turns out seaweed ecosystems may be a natural source of carbon dioxide – and not a sink.
Huge blooms of brown seaweed have fouled Florida and Caribbean beaches almost every year over the past decade. They originate in Africa and South America. and are fueled by human activities.
Cow burps and farts are no joke – they’re a big factor in climate change. A new study shows that daily seaweed supplements could tame this major methane source while saving ranchers money.
The success of Indonesia’s seaweed industry is also closely linked to the ability of Indonesian seaweed farmers to work around extreme seasonal variations in seaweed growth rates.
Awareness is increasing about foods like lab-grown meat, insects and seaweed. These foods may help address environmental challenges, but it’s important to be aware of both the costs and benefits.
Small wounds can usually heal by themselves, but larger wounds can be a problem. With a little help from a seaweed we can help the body regenerate new blood vessels.
Dan Smale, Marine Biological Association and Thomas Wernberg, The University of Western Australia
Marine heatwaves, like their land counterparts, are growing hotter and longer. Sea species in southeastern Australia, southeast Asia, northwestern Africa, Europe and eastern Canada are most at risk.
Georgina Brennan, Bangor University; Dong Xu, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, and Naihao Ye, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Climate change will affect the nutrition of seaweeds eaten by billions of people around the world.
A chance discovery of some kelp that floated for 20,000km before washing up on an Antarctic beach has opened up a new chapter in our understanding of the currents that swirl around the Southern Ocean.
Tonight on the ABC’s Catalyst, scientist Tim Flannery asks if seaweed can save the world. It’s a bold claim for algae, but seaweed could play a key role in keeping climate change in check.
In an extract from his new book, Tim Flannery explains how giant kelp farms could suck carbon dioxide from the air and store it in the ocean’s depths, while encouraging species like fish and oysters.