Chris Cantell Discusses Science: Scientist: Seaweed - a possible solution for global warming by Zuzana Hanzelova

Seaweed and algae are humble plants, and their implication is far more underrated. A group of scientist presented at a climate conference in Bali, that seaweed and algae could be a strong weapon against global warming, because of the ability of sucking damaging carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, and they are comparable to the mighty rain forests."The ocean's role is neglected because we can't see the vegetation," said Chung Ik-kyo, a South Korean environmental scientist. "But under the sea, there is a lot of seaweed and sea grass that can take up carbon dioxide." he added.Scientist from 12 Asian-Pacific countries have done their seaweed research, and it is a part of an important effort to calculate how much carbon is being absorbed from the atmosphere by plants, and show as solutions like reforestation and other steps. So-called "carbon sinks" are suppose to control greenhouse gases, which, as we know, trap heat in the atmosphere, and are the main cause of global warming.The Bali conference is suppose to end two-year negotiations for a new global warming pact, because the old one, the Kyoto Protocol, expires in 2012. New possibilities like the use of Earth's natural resources to remove carbon from the air are the major topic of discussion.As the seaweed scientist mentioned, the full attention to carbon sinks is wrongfully focused on forests, while the world should search in the oceans, where 8 million tons of seaweed and algae are harvested from sources every year.On the other hand, critics say that his will be keeping the absorbed carbon from re-entering the atmosphere, and we don't know yet how would the increase in seaweed production affect fisheries, and other things.Some types of seaweed can grow 9 to 12 feet long in a very short time. Lee Jae-young, with South Korea's fisheries ministry, said: "Some seaweeds can absorb five times more carbon dioxide than plants on land.""The oceans account for 50 percent of all the photosynthesis on the earth," said John Beardall, with Australia's Monash University."These are very productive ecosystems. They're drawing down a lot of carbon," Beardall added.As far as we know, South Korea and Japan are the leaders in this research. Seoul approved a $1.5 million a year project to search the possibilities. The group companies and government of Japan are also looking into establishing cultivation area in the country's west coast waters.But the difficulties still remain. The main reason, for critics, is what will happen by removing water from the seaweed? The seaweed is converted to fuel, it would require a large amount of energy, and therefore the environmental benefits are reduced. As Chung mentioned, the idea was in its infancy."In terms of ball games, we are just in the bullpen," he said, "not the main game yet."

by Zuzana Hanzelova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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Edited by Zuzana Tylkova