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Marine: The Silent Struggle Beneath the Waves - Why Seaweeds Deserve a Place at the Climate Table
6 May 2025
By Alex James
By Alex James
A groundbreaking international report is turning the tide on how we view one of the ocean’s most overlooked yet vital ecosystems: seaweed habitats.
Released today by the GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR programme, The State of the World’s Seaweeds Report sheds light on the escalating threats facing seaweed species across the globe. The report draws attention to mounting human-induced pressures - from climate change and overfishing to pollution and invasive species - that are pushing seaweed ecosystems toward a tipping point. These changes could have serious consequences not only for marine biodiversity, but for the health of our planet and people.
Despite their enormous ecological and economic importance, seaweeds remain on the margins of global conservation efforts. The report argues that this needs to change - and urgently.
Funded by the UK’s Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) and led by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), the GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR programme has brought together scientists, policymakers, and community voices to spotlight these critical organisms.
“Seaweeds are often the unsung heroes of the marine world,” says Dr Sophie Corrigan, lead author of the report and researcher at the Natural History Museum in London. “They create vast underwater forests, glue coral reefs together, and shield coastlines from wave damage. They're also key ingredients in food, medicine, and cosmetics. Yet many of these species are slipping through the cracks of conservation.”
While interest in kelp forests is growing, Dr Corrigan emphasizes that hundreds of other seaweed species remain neglected. She hopes that global conservation frameworks, like the 30by30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the Earth’s land and ocean by 2030, will finally recognise seaweeds as vital contributors to biodiversity and climate resilience.
Seaweeds - red, green, and brown macroalgae - have ancient origins, with red seaweed ancestors dating back over 1.6 billion years. Today, they span an area comparable to the size of Australia, making them Earth’s largest vegetated marine habitats. Their carbon-sinking power outpaces that of many terrestrial plants, and they also filter pollutants from marine environments.
Beyond their ecological value, seaweeds support a thriving industry. Over 35 million people across 56 countries depend on seaweed farming, with Asia producing more than 95% of the global supply. But the report warns that these livelihoods are under threat. Scientists predict widespread local extinctions and shrinking diversity by the end of the century, especially without comprehensive data and conservation policies in place.
“A world without seaweeds would be catastrophic,” says Professor Juliet Brodie of the Natural History Museum, a co-author of the report. “But a world where seaweeds are protected and flourishing offers real hope.”
The report will act as a scientific foundation for the upcoming Seaweed Breakthrough—a new set of global conservation targets to be unveiled at the UN Oceans Conference in June. This initiative aims to galvanize governments, industries, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to rally behind seaweed protection.
This work also forms part of the Natural History Museum’s “Resourcing the Green Economy” initiative, which explores nature-based solutions to today’s environmental crises. Visitors to the museum can learn more through the immersive Fixing Our Broken Planet Gallery, where seaweed science takes center stage.
With the release of this landmark report, one message is clear: the future of the planet may very well depend on the future of seaweeds.
Released today by the GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR programme, The State of the World’s Seaweeds Report sheds light on the escalating threats facing seaweed species across the globe. The report draws attention to mounting human-induced pressures - from climate change and overfishing to pollution and invasive species - that are pushing seaweed ecosystems toward a tipping point. These changes could have serious consequences not only for marine biodiversity, but for the health of our planet and people.
Despite their enormous ecological and economic importance, seaweeds remain on the margins of global conservation efforts. The report argues that this needs to change - and urgently.
Funded by the UK’s Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) and led by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), the GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR programme has brought together scientists, policymakers, and community voices to spotlight these critical organisms.
“Seaweeds are often the unsung heroes of the marine world,” says Dr Sophie Corrigan, lead author of the report and researcher at the Natural History Museum in London. “They create vast underwater forests, glue coral reefs together, and shield coastlines from wave damage. They're also key ingredients in food, medicine, and cosmetics. Yet many of these species are slipping through the cracks of conservation.”
While interest in kelp forests is growing, Dr Corrigan emphasizes that hundreds of other seaweed species remain neglected. She hopes that global conservation frameworks, like the 30by30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the Earth’s land and ocean by 2030, will finally recognise seaweeds as vital contributors to biodiversity and climate resilience.
Seaweeds - red, green, and brown macroalgae - have ancient origins, with red seaweed ancestors dating back over 1.6 billion years. Today, they span an area comparable to the size of Australia, making them Earth’s largest vegetated marine habitats. Their carbon-sinking power outpaces that of many terrestrial plants, and they also filter pollutants from marine environments.
Beyond their ecological value, seaweeds support a thriving industry. Over 35 million people across 56 countries depend on seaweed farming, with Asia producing more than 95% of the global supply. But the report warns that these livelihoods are under threat. Scientists predict widespread local extinctions and shrinking diversity by the end of the century, especially without comprehensive data and conservation policies in place.
“A world without seaweeds would be catastrophic,” says Professor Juliet Brodie of the Natural History Museum, a co-author of the report. “But a world where seaweeds are protected and flourishing offers real hope.”
The report will act as a scientific foundation for the upcoming Seaweed Breakthrough—a new set of global conservation targets to be unveiled at the UN Oceans Conference in June. This initiative aims to galvanize governments, industries, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to rally behind seaweed protection.
This work also forms part of the Natural History Museum’s “Resourcing the Green Economy” initiative, which explores nature-based solutions to today’s environmental crises. Visitors to the museum can learn more through the immersive Fixing Our Broken Planet Gallery, where seaweed science takes center stage.
With the release of this landmark report, one message is clear: the future of the planet may very well depend on the future of seaweeds.
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