Leveraging the Ocean's Carbon Removal Potential

To comply with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature rise limit, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions must be achieved by mid-century, necessitating not only reductions in emissions but also substantial removal of existing atmospheric CO2. Globally, this could mean removing 10-20 billion tons of CO2 annually until 2100, a significant task considering the U.S. emitted 5.4 billion tons in 2018 alone. Increasingly, the ocean is seen as a key element in tackling this challenge.

Strategies such as offshore energy production, coastal ecosystem conservation, and sustainable ocean-based protein consumption can reduce emissions, while various ocean-based carbon removal techniques can help capture and store billions of tons of carbon. Importantly, these methods do not contribute to ocean acidification. Certain techniques may also deliver co-benefits, like enhanced biodiversity and reduced acidification. Despite this, there's ongoing contention due to uncertainties about potential ecological impacts, governance, and other risks, necessitating further research.