Explore the potential of seaweed in tackling climate change by reducing methane emissions and providing a biodegradable solution to plastic waste. Discover the booming global seaweed market valued at $12bn, with innovative applications from animal feed additives to skincare products. Hear from scientists and entrepreneurs worldwide about the exciting possibilities of seaweed cultivation and its economic and environmental benefits.
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Quick takeaways
Seaweed can help reduce methane emissions from cows and provide a biodegradable plastic alternative.
Seaweed sector growth offers opportunities for women-led ventures in developing economies for economic and social benefits.
Deep dives
Seaweed's Diverse Potential
Seaweeds have vast applications beyond food products and supplements, such as reducing methane emissions, absorbing carbon dioxide, and potentially replacing fossil fuels in plastics. The seaweed sector, valued at approximately $20 billion, is poised for significant growth, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Industries like animal feed additives and biostimulants show promise for leveraging seaweed's properties to address global challenges like fertilizer overuse and methane emissions, indicating substantial market expansion potential.
Seaweed as an Eco-Friendly Alternative
Seaweed presents a sustainable alternative in industries like fashion, textiles, and plastics, aiming to reduce pollution and environmental impact. With the increasing focus on green practices, seaweed-based materials, such as PHAs derived from seaweed sugars, offer biodegradable properties akin to traditional plastics while being environmentally friendly and suitable for various applications.
Empowering Women in the Seaweed Industry
The emergence of seaweed-based businesses, particularly in developing economies, offers an opportunity for women-led ventures to thrive. Dubbed the 'she-weed revolution' by the World Bank, empowering women in seaweed production not only contributes to economic growth but also helps in poverty alleviation and community development. Providing support for women-led businesses in seaweed cultivation can lead to significant market growth and positive social impacts.
It's a familiar feature of our oceans and beaches and yet its environmental impact has largely been overlooked.
Now supporters say seaweed can help us address climate change by reducing our reliance on fertilisers, and by reducing the methane emissions produced by cows. On top of that, proponents say a new material produced from the sugars in seaweed could provide a biodegradable alternative to the millions of tonnes of single-use plastic we throw away each year.
No wonder the World Bank is predicting a global seaweed boom worth $12bn this decade.
We hear from scientists and entrepreneurs from Australia to Zanzibar who say we are only just beginning to understand the exciting possibilities posed by this ubiquitous underwater species.
The Irish folk tune Dúlamán, about the island’s traditional seaweed gatherers, is used with the permission of musician Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh.
Produced and presented by Vivienne Nunis.
(Picture: Seaweed farm. Sumbawa. Indonesia. Credit: Getty Images)
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