Is Seaweed Farming the Future in the Philippines?
People in the Philippines have a very strong spiritual connection with the ocean, it’s at the heart of their culture. But climate change is impacting their relationship with the ocean. They are finding they need a new way for people to be able to live sustainably alongside the ocean and benefit from all the services that it provides.
The demand has grown for them to conserve, protect, and restore their resources, and seaweed is an integral part of that solution. It’s considered an untapped resource right now with huge potential for growth. Coast 4C, a 2024 finalist from the Philippines for the Earthshot Prize, is boosting the production of seaweed by financially supporting smallholder farmers. Using regenerative techniques, they’re also boosting biodiversity, improving ocean health, and combatting climate change.