Day 57: Blue Carbon

Today you will learn from expert guest Emily Landis about blue carbon, why it may or may not help solve climate change, how it works and what needs to still be done for it to be an effective solution to climate change.

Summary

Guest: Emily Landis

Emily is the Climate and Ocean strategy lead within TNC’s Global Tackle Climate Change team. She leads the global effort to mainstream the values of ocean and coastal ecosystems to reduce climate risks through policy, science, partnerships and supports implementation in over 15 countries. This involves a broad portfolio including projects on blue carbon markets, incorporating the ocean into international policy agreements, community-based conservation and building out the global science and awareness of the role of the ocean for biodiversity and people. Emily is also the TNC representative for The Global Mangrove Alliance, Global Mangrove Watch, International Partnership for Blue Carbon, scientific member of the Blue Carbon Initiative and serves as an ocean focal lead on the UNFCCC’s Nairobi Work Program on Ocean and Adaptation.

Emily holds a graduate degree in Biodiversity, Evolution and Conservation from University College London, with a focus on valuation methods of ecosystem services, and during her tenure she worked directly with the Zoological Society of London. She also holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Policy and Environmental Science. Her previous work experience includes the Global Ocean Commission, Pew Charitable Trusts and Rare.

Follow Emily Landis:

• LinkedIn
• Website

Explain succinctly what blue carbon is from first principles.

Why does blue carbon help to solve climate change?

Steel man the other side. Why would blue carbon NOT work to solve climate change?

Who benefits most by implementing blue carbon as a solution?

Who is harmed most by implementing blue carbon as a solution?

How does blue carbon work as a solution to climate change?

For blue carbon as a solution to work, what innovation or policy needs to be created?

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Additional Resources

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

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Top Skills To Learn

Our guest recommends learning the following skills:

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Activity

Activity: Blue Carbon Ecosystem Mapping

Description: Identify blue carbon ecosystems in your region (e.g., mangroves, salt marshes). Explore their carbon sequestration potential and role in coastal protection.

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Skill Lesson Mastered

Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson by applying it to the above activity. If, and only if, you have a full understanding and have mastered the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson, select the next lesson in the navigation.