The "Seaweed Revolution," recently announced by the United Nations, highlights an innovative solution to some of the world's most pressing challenges. This revelation points to seaweed - a massive, yet underexplored resource on our planet - as a key to addressing global issues. At the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) held from November 28 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, UAE, Vincent Doumeizel, the Senior Ocean Advisor for the UN Global Compact, shared insights on leading the "Seaweed Revolution." He emphasized that this initiative could address not only food security and social crises but also the climate crisis. Doumeizel highlighted seaweed's exceptional carbon absorption capabilities and its potential as a green raw material for producing bioplastics, making it a crucial tool in reducing climate change and restoring biodiversity.
Seaweed grows remarkably fast - up to 40 cm per day, reaching heights of 60 meters. This makes it a true underwater forest capable of absorbing more carbon than the Amazon rainforest. Doumeizel pointed out that outdated food systems are major contributors to climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, soil depletion, and social injustice, with a large workforce engaged in these systems. Seaweed farming in East Africa has demonstrated its ability to create jobs and empower women, who generate 80% of the revenue from these activities. Doumeizel noted that seaweed is rich in nutrients and protein, with most of the seaweed we consume concentrated along coastlines. "If we learn to cultivate the ocean, we will be remembered as the first generation to feed the entire population while mitigating climate change, restoring biodiversity, and eradicating poverty," he said.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are an inevitable part of modern life. As humanity pursues a modern lifestyle, CO2 emissions increase. While green plants absorb CO2 from human activities and purify the air, research shows that seaweed can absorb more CO2 than terrestrial plants. Seaweed has been known for its health benefits for centuries. Reports indicate that the fiber and polysaccharides in seaweed offer numerous health benefits. Besides being used as food, seaweed components like alginic acid, carrageenan, and agar are vital in fields like medicine and industry. Today, seaweed is also valued for its role in sequestering "blue carbon."
The Journal of Industrial and Marine Ecology (JIME) Vol. 52, No. 6 (2017) explains that "blue carbon" refers to carbon stored in marine ecosystems like seaweed beds. Just as forests absorb CO2, so do oceans. In fact, they absorb CO2 2.4 times more effectively than land trees. CO2 dissolves easily in water, and marine ecosystems like seaweed beds absorb it through photosynthesis. When seaweed breaks, it floats on the sea surface. Since it doesn't derive nutrients from roots, it doesn't die immediately even when torn. It drifts into the open sea and eventually sinks to the deep ocean, where "blue carbon" is stored. Dense seaweed beds form underwater "forests," playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems. However, these seaweed beds are declining worldwide due to coastal development and habitat changes from rising sea temperatures. Therefore, enhancing seaweed beds to enrich marine ecosystems is crucial. Expanding seaweed farming will increase the amount of "blue carbon" stored in the ocean.
On July 6, 2024, the "Blue Ocean – Blue Foods" program was officially launched at the Directorate of Fisheries under the guidance of Director General Tran Dinh Luan. This initiative, implemented by the ICAFIS (Vietnam Fisheries Society) and JAPIFOODS - WinEco Vietnam, aims to create a comprehensive, responsible circular economy through promoting seaweed production, processing, and consumption. Currently, the livelihoods of coastal residents in Vietnam depend on the quality of water and the health of diverse marine ecosystems. To mitigate climate change impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the marine environment, and develop community livelihoods, ICAFIS has partnered with JAPIFOODS to advance the "Blue Ocean – Blue Foods" program.
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The program seeks responsible participation from stakeholders in mitigating climate change impacts, improving the marine environment, and community livelihoods. It aims to raise coastal community awareness about climate change and marine environmental protection, promote business participation in environmental protection (Blue Ocean), encourage a responsible circular economy (Blue Foods), and foster a responsible seafood alliance (Blue Food Alliance). The core of the program involves several key initiatives designed to create a lasting impact.
One major component is the educational outreach aimed at raising community awareness about climate change and marine conservation. This involves working closely with coastal schools to implement the "Blue Ocean Kid Heroes" program, which educates children on the importance of protecting our oceans. The program also collaborates with local authorities, provincial fisheries associations, women's unions, youth unions, and coastal schools to launch the "Clean Up Ocean" initiative. This initiative mobilizes community efforts to clean and protect coastal areas, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship among residents. Additionally, the program organizes contests for drawing, storytelling, and creating literary and artistic works about the marine environment in coastal schools. Partnering with the Vietnam Painters Association, the program aims to expand the "Fishing Village Mural" model, linking art with marine environmental protection. Media and journalists are encouraged to share and amplify the stories and activities of the project, ensuring wider reach and impact.
Another critical aspect of the "Blue Ocean - Blue Foods" program is engaging businesses in environmental protection. This involves encouraging business participation in community awareness programs, coastal cleanup initiatives, and developing coastal livelihoods linked to climate change mitigation. By involving businesses, the program aims to foster a collaborative approach where corporate responsibility aligns with environmental sustainability.
Promoting a responsible circular economy is another cornerstone of the program. This involves mobilizing businesses within the aquaculture chain linked to seaweed farming in Vietnam. The goal is to establish a circular economy chain that encompasses investment, cultivation, processing, and consumption of seaweed. By creating a sustainable and responsible production cycle, the program aims to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of seaweed farming.
The program also focuses on fostering a responsible seafood alliance. This involves mobilizing businesses to join the initiative and calling for the establishment of the "Blue Foods Alliance," which brings together multiple business participants. The alliance aims to develop effective communication channels and collaborative efforts to promote responsible seafood production and consumption.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Sam, Director of JAPIFOODS, affirmed that JAPIFOODS would support "Blue Ocean – Blue Foods" for three years or longer, depending on the program's specific activities. She also committed to contributing 10% of JAPIFOODS' revenue to expand seaweed cultivation in Vietnam. Director General Tran Dinh Luan of the Directorate of Fisheries noted that the "National Marine Spatial Planning for the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision to 2050," approved on June 28, 2024, currently lacks specific planning for seaweed. The goal of developing seaweed cultivation in Vietnam's coastal areas is to improve the lives of local residents, protect the environment, and enhance ecological conditions. He hopes that through the "Blue Ocean – Blue Foods" program, seaweed will thrive in Vietnam, offering significant environmental benefits and sustainable livelihoods for the people.
In conclusion, the potential of seaweed to transform our approach to environmental sustainability and economic development is immense. As a versatile resource, seaweed offers solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges, from climate change to food security. By embracing initiatives like the "Seaweed Revolution" and the "Blue Ocean – Blue Foods" program, we can unlock the full potential of seaweed, creating a greener, more sustainable future for our planet and its inhabitants.
Ngoc Thuy (Hai Dang translated)