Seaweed: A Powerful Tool for Climate Change Mitigation That Provides Various Ecological Services

Seaweed production (both culture and natural) has increased compared with in the past. It occupies a strong position in the food supply and meets global food demand. Seaweed emerges as a powerful tool to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It acts as a carbon sink by sequestrating carbon from the atmosphere into the ocean. It can reduce the carbon emission from agricultural fields by improving the soil quality. It also minimizes the emissions of methane gas when mixed in cattle food. Seaweed increases the pH of water thus reducing the ocean acidification phenomena. As a result, aquatic organisms such as finfish, shellfish, corals, and invertebrates find a suitable place to live in. It produces trace gas (e.g., volatile brominated and iodinated halocarbons) that deplete the ozone. Seaweed dampens wave energy during storms and protects the coast as climate change adaptation. Seaweed provides oxygen to the ocean water, which minimizes the issue of de-oxygenation. It offers habitats and food for important components of the marine ecosystem that have a great impact on the climate. Seaweed provides biofuels, fertilizer, medicine, and food for human consumption. In this review, we emphasize the role of seaweed in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Seaweed cultivation can be optimized to get maximum climate benefits and increase the livelihood status of the seaweed farmer.