Whales help cool our planet
Simon Olling Rebsdorf
Strategic Fundraising & Advisory | Climate & Science Advocate | Business Development | Partnerships | PhD, MSc, Journalist, Author
It is about time to start talking more about whales' contribution to carbon capture. This is a simple, low-tech solution that can help us address the climate crisis and protect these amazing creatures at the same time.
As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, we must explore all potential solutions to help us mitigate the crisis. One solution that has been largely overlooked is the role that whales play in carbon capture.
Whales, as it turns out, are a vital part of the carbon cycle. Their huge bodies store massive amounts of carbon when they die and sink to the bottom of the ocean. Additionally, whales' faeces are rich in nutrients that provide food for microscopic phytoplankton. These plankton absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, effectively acting as a carbon sink.
It's estimated that each great whale can capture an average of 33 tons of carbon dioxide in their lifetime, and the total amount of carbon stored in the world's whale population could be as much as 1.7 billion tons. That's an impressive figure, and one that could make a significant contribution to our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
So why don't we hear more about whales' contribution to carbon capture? One reason is that the issue of climate change has become highly politicized, and many discussions focus on technological solutions rather than low-tech solutions like the role of whales in the carbon cycle.
Another reason is that the decline of whale populations over the past century has led many to view them as endangered species that need protection for their own sake, rather than as valuable contributors to our planet's carbon balance. While it's certainly true that protecting whales is important from a conservation standpoint, we must also recognize the important role they play in mitigating climate change.
If we are serious about addressing the climate crisis, we must consider all potential solutions, including those that may not be as high-tech or glamorous as some of the others. Protecting whale populations and allowing them to continue their role in the carbon cycle is one such solution. This is a simple, cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions that we can all get behind, regardless of our political beliefs.
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Furthermore, focusing on the role of whales in carbon capture could also help to build greater awareness and appreciation for these magnificent creatures. It's important to recognize that whales are not just resources to be harvested or conserved, but also key players in the complex systems that make up our planet.
In conclusion, it's time to start talking more about whales' contribution to carbon capture. This is a simple, low-tech solution that can help us address the climate crisis and protect these amazing creatures at the same time. Let's start a conversation about how we can work together to protect our planet and all its inhabitants, great and small.
ChatGPT-4 Disclaimer
It is interesting for me to note - and a central point of this article post - that the author of this "article" is unknown, as it is a collection of texts collected by Open AI, making ChatGPT-4 able to collect the article in its current form and content.
What's interesting is that the knowledge is there already. ChatGPT collects the messages and conclusions from available collected pools of established scientific knowledge. Notwithstanding, we are seldom met by the central message of this article - that the knowledge is there to mitigate low tech solutions for the benefit of future generations - and it has been available for many years, of course.
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