What is Blue Carbon? For the Western Port Biosphere Foundation’s Blue Carbon Project, it’s a natural way to capture and lock carbon back into marine and coastal ecosystems, and a path to local carbon neutrality by 2030!From the Ramsar wetland to the Bryozoan reef, the Foundation’s biosphere reserve covers 2,142sq km and hosts a wealth of carbon-absorbing marine habitats, from deep channels to mangroves and sea grass meadows, supporting a myriad of marine invertebrates and 65% of VIC’s bird species
Championing climate action, environmental preservation and restoration, and sustainable development, the Foundation integrates science and First Nations knowledge to map the opportunities for and gains from blue carbon ecosystem restoration projects, to inform local community action on climate change
But how do they balance conservation with sustainable development? As one of Australia’s leading centres of carbon sequestration, they fund and undertake blue carbon initiatives, bio-link development, pest management, shorebird action plans, indigenous plant nurseries, reef research, and water stewardship – just to name a few. All the while informing their local community via corporate and school education programs and wider community events to inspire a positive future by connecting their people with nature.
Soon to submit their 10-year UNESCO review, the Blue Carbon project knowledge base hopes to enhance global awareness and understanding of blue carbon’s contribution to managing climate via the 700-strong UNESCO Biosphere network.
The Blue Carbon Project aims to significantly increase the uptake of ecosystem restoration across the reserve, and with the already obvious co-benefits of coastal protection, nitrogen sinks, and fishery and tourism improvements, it’s only a matter of time!
Learn more on their website!