Goals of Study
1. Scientific research to quantify carbon sequestration potential of kelp forests
2. Policy work to enable kelp forest conservation as a blue carbon resource
3. Potential development of a Verra carbon offset methodology for kelp forests
Project Development Lead
Lead in fundraising, strategy and policy
Conceptualized study to:
- Understand kelp as a blue carbon resource
- Enable carbon finance to fund kelp forest restoration
Lead scientist
Professor of Marine Biology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Organizing all other scientists, research plans and budget for the scientific research component
Developed seaweed technology for Blue Ocean Barns to create carbon offsets
Key Science Questions
1. Quantify atmospheric CO2 sequestered permanently in the ocean
- Air-sea gas exchange
- Export of carbon to sediments and deep ocean
- Seasonal variability of kelp forests
- Data and modeling during large storm and wave events
2. Quantify carbon contained in a healthy kelp forest (REDD+ analogue)
- Total carbon conserved through kelp forest management
Methodology Development Lead
Co-Founder, Silvestrum Climate Associates
Lead developer for Blue Carbon methodologies for Verra. (e.g VM0033)
This project has been included to the SeaScape Carbon Initiative by Silvestrum, which has a core focus of developing kelp-based carbon methodologies for Verra.
Currently developing Verra methodology for farmed kelp with Oceans 2050
Kelp Conservation Partner
The Bay Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1990 to restore and enhance Santa Monica Bay and local coastal waters.
Leaders in Giant Kelp restoration with over 20 years of experience.
1. Analogue to REDD+ but for kelp forests
2. Restores and protects healthy kelp forests
- Carbon quantified from both sequestration and carbon contained in living forest, each year
3. Combines funding streams:
- Carbon finance from Verra VCUs
- Local community support
- Fishing and tourism revenue
- Government support
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- Hire full-time project scientist to drive project forward
- Finalize research plan and budget
- Organize kelp science workshop in Q1 2023
- Initial research and data collection in La Jolla kelp forest (Q3-4 2022)
Silvestrum Climate Associates
- Review of existing and proposed blue carbon methodologies for kelp, across multiple carbon registries
- Review of existing and proposed research projects for kelp carbon, around the world
- Participate in workshops to educate scientists on carbon market requirements for methodology development
Sustainable Surf / SeaTrees
- Project management
- Policy development and partnerships with California legislators, agencies and other NGOs
- Fundraising
- Media and content creation
