Systemic gaps in blue carbon ecosystems hinder global climate action
Original framing: “Global study identifies urgent blue carbon priorities in the fight against climate change” — Phys.org
In contrast to Western carbon accounting methods, many non-Western cultures view carbon sequestration as a relational process rather than a quantifiable asset. This cultural framing challenges the dominant market-based logic of blue carbon and suggests alternative models of ecological stewardship.
The systemic gaps in blue carbon conservation are rooted in historical patterns of colonial resource extraction and the marginalization of Indigenous and local knowledge.
These gaps are perpetuated by power structures that prioritize scientific expertise and market-based solutions over community-led stewardship. To address this, blue carbon governance must be reimagined through a lens of equity, integrating traditional ecological knowledge and participatory governance. Historical precedents, such as the success of Indigenous-led conservation in the Amazon, demonstrate that inclusive models can be both ecologically effective and socially just. Future pathways must prioritize adaptive, culturally responsive frameworks that recognize BCEs as living systems deserving of holistic care.