Emerald hope (II/II): How seaweed can transform ASEAN's coastlines and combat climate change

VI. Economic opportunities: A sea of green gold

Seaweed farming has transformational potential that goes beyond its environmental advantages. It gives the ASEAN countries access to fresh economic prospects, promoting a flourishing blue economy and establishing a "sea of green gold."

New markets for seaweed-based products:

A growing global focus on sustainability and eco-friendly alternatives is driving up demand for products made from seaweed. This gives the ASEAN countries exciting new market opportunities:

• Carrageenan: One of the main seaweed derivatives is carrageenan, which is used in many food and cosmetic items. By 2027, the carrageenan market is projected to grow to a value of USD 1.2 billion worldwide. Because of its high production capacity and well-established knowledge in the cultivation of carrageenan seaweed, ASEAN is well-positioned to play a significant role in this industry.

• Biofuels: The market for biofuels is expanding rapidly, and seaweed has great potential to be a sustainable feedstock for the manufacture of bioethanol. By 2030, the seaweed biofuel industry is expected to grow to a whopping USD 10.5 billion. The ASEAN countries now have a great chance to diversify their energy sources and lessen their dependency on fossil fuels by investing in and building sustainable biofuel production facilities.

• Novel Applications: Investigating new uses for seaweed opens up new economic opportunities. Seaweed-based bioplastics present an environmentally benign and biodegradable substitute for conventional plastics, with potential uses in a range of sectors, including textiles and packaging. Furthermore, seaweed is a useful tool for bioremediation because of its capacity to absorb contaminants. Economic prospects in wastewater treatment, environmental clean-up initiatives, and pollution mitigation techniques become available as a result.

Increased value-added products:

A strong value chain for products based on seaweed can be developed in ASEAN if the seaweed sector is growing. This value chain includes the following processes: refining, processing, and production of finished items from biomass derived from seaweed. This enhances the raw material's value while also generating new jobs in the area for people involved in cultivation, processing, manufacturing, and marketing.

Export potential:

Due to its well-established seaweed growing capabilities, ASEAN is well-positioned to become into a significant exporter of premium seaweed and its derivatives. This can lead to a considerable increase in foreign exchange earnings and promote regional economic expansion. In a global market that is becoming more and more concerned with responsible sourcing, ASEAN countries can position themselves as preferred suppliers by emphasising sustainable practices and certifications.

Quantifiable economic benefits:

The economic impact of a thriving seaweed industry in ASEAN is substantial:

• Job Creation Potential: Within the next ten years, a thriving seaweed industry in ASEAN is expected to provide up to one million new jobs, mostly in coastal areas. Jobs in agriculture, processing, manufacturing, R&D, and logistics are included in this.

• Increased Revenue Generation: A strong seaweed sector in ASEAN might bring in over USD 20 billion from value-added goods and seaweed exports by 2030. This substantial source of income can be reinvested in coastal communities to support economic diversification and sustainable development.

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): An innovative and sustainable seaweed industry has the potential to draw substantial FDIs. By 2030, ASEAN is expected to draw up to USD 5 billion in foreign direct investment, which will significantly boost the seaweed sector's expansion and financial advantages.

The ASEAN nations have the opportunity to usher in a new era of prosperity and sustainability by embracing the economic possibilities of seaweed production. This "sea of green gold" presents a strong chance to boost income, produce jobs, and establish ASEAN as a leader in the world's blue economy. Through innovation, collaboration, and a focus on sustainable practices, ASEAN can improve its communities, reshape its coasts, and move closer to a better future.

VII. Empowering SIDS: Seaweed Farming for Island Resilience

SIDS, or Small Island Developing States, have particular difficulties within ASEAN. Due to their frequent physical isolation and reliance on tourism, these areas are especially susceptible to the negative effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, acidity of the ocean, and extreme weather. A glimmer of light appears in seaweed farming, which provides SIDS with an effective means of enhancing their resilience and navigating these economic and environmental turbulences.

Addressing vulnerabilities through seaweed:

Seaweed farming offers SIDS a multifaceted strategy to overcome their vulnerabilities:

1. Enhanced Food Security and Nutrition: Due to their lack of land resources and reliance on food imports, SIDS frequently struggle with food insecurity. Rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, seaweed is a widely accessible and incredibly nourishing food item. Seaweed farms run by the local community can help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) become more food self-sufficient and enhance the nutritional status of their people.

2. Economic Diversification and Job Creation: A lot of SIDS mostly rely on tourism as their main source of income. Growing seaweed offers them a great chance to expand their revenue sources and diversify their economies. Particularly in coastal towns, the construction of seaweed farms creates jobs in the fields of production, processing, and marketing. Through the creation of additional chances for local growth and the reduction of reliance on a particular industry, this economic diversification promotes resilience.

3. Coastal Protection: Coastal erosion is a growing hazard to SIDS as a result of rising sea levels and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather occurrences. Naturally occurring buffers, seaweed farms can lessen the effects of waves and coastal erosion. By safeguarding crucial infrastructure and coastal populations, this essential ecosystem function increases their resistance to the effects of climate change.

Examples of seaweed success in SIDS:

Seaweed farming has the ability to improve lives, as seen by these inspiring examples from ASEAN's SIDS:

• Philippines: In the Philippines, money is generated via community-managed seaweed farms, which also help conserve the coast and ensure food security for women. These projects highlight seaweed's ability to concurrently address environmental, social, and economic issues.

• Fiji: Initiatives for seaweed cultivation in Fiji are encouraging environmental care and community ownership in addition to sustainable livelihoods. The cultivation, processing, and selling of seaweed are actively carried out by local communities, resulting in a robust and sustainable seaweed business.

While seaweed farming is not a panacea, it can help ASEAN's Small Island Developing States (SIDS) become more resilient and learn to deal with the challenges of a changing environment. Through utilising seaweed's many advantages—from coastal preservation to economic diversification and food security—SIDS may steer clear of unsustainable development and towards a more affluent future. ASEAN can enable its Small Island Democratic States (SIDS) to become leaders of the "emerald hope" and innovators of a new era of blue growth by promoting regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and investment in capacity building.

VIII. Seaweed + dMRV Technology: A Powerful Partnership 

Seaweed cultivation has a profoundly transformational potential when combined with state-of-the-art technologies such as distributed Marine Remote Sensing (dMRV). This integration provides a potent means of improving data collecting, monitoring, and comprehension of ocean health, especially in the vicinity of seaweed farms.

dMRV: Unveiling the ocean's secrets in real-time

dMRV technology collects data in real time on multiple water quality metrics surrounding seaweed farms by utilising a network of strategically placed sensors. Among these sensors are the following:

• Satellites: Satellites can monitor vast areas of the ocean by providing high-resolution photography. They can also detect variations in chlorophyll levels, which serve as a proxy for phytoplankton abundance and can affect the availability of nutrients for seaweed growth.

• Drones: Drones can be used to measure dissolved oxygen content and temperature in particular locations around seaweed farms, providing high-resolution, up-close data collection.

• Buoys: Buoys (with dMRV) strategically positioned within or next to seaweed farms gather ongoing data on a range of water quality measures, offering insightful information about the surrounding environment.

Optimizing seaweed cultivation and protecting our oceans

Seaweed farming and ocean health can benefit greatly from dMRV's collection and analysis of data from these various sensors:

• Optimizing Farm Management: Farm managers are able to decide on seaweed production techniques with the help of up-to-date data on water quality conditions. For example, temperature information can influence the choice of seaweed species that are best suited for a given area, and levels of chlorophyll can influence the distribution of fertiliser.

• Tracking Environmental Changes: dMRV systems offer a potent instrument for tracking long-term patterns in the quality of coastal water. Early intervention and mitigation techniques may be possible with the use of this data to identify possible environmental hazards, such as pollution episodes or toxic algal blooms.

• Measuring Seaweed's Impact on Water Quality: It is possible to measure the beneficial effects of seaweed farming on water quality using dMRV data. The environmental benefits of seaweed production can be quantified through monitoring changes in factors such as dissolved oxygen and nutrient levels before and after seaweed farms are established. This information is especially helpful for SIDS that have insufficient funding for conventional ocean monitoring initiatives.

Empowering SIDS with data-driven solutions

Particularly important are the advantages of dMRV technology for the ASEAN Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Often, these countries lack the funding necessary for comprehensive ocean monitoring initiatives. With the help of dMRV, SIDS can optimise their seaweed production techniques and obtain insightful knowledge about their coastal ecosystems at a reasonable and scalable cost.

Let's say a country in the South Pacific Islands is going to start growing seaweed. The farms can have dMRV sensors installed on strategically positioned buoys. Once data on water quality metrics was collected in real time, these buoys would wirelessly transfer the information to a central hub. By tracking environmental changes and showcasing the beneficial effects of seaweed production on local water quality, this data may be utilised to influence decisions about farm management.

The road ahead

For ASEAN, the combination of dMRV technology and seaweed farming offers a game-changing potential. By utilising this strong alliance, ASEAN countries have the opportunity to become pioneers in sustainable ocean management worldwide in addition to realising the seaweed's enormous potential for the environment and economy. ASEAN can create a better future where our communities grow, our coastlines thrive, and our oceans remain healthy for future generations by embracing innovation and collaboration.

IX. Call to action: Cultivating a collective future

It is indisputable that seaweed farming has the power to drastically change the coastlines of ASEAN and hasten our goals for pollution reduction, decarbonisation, and climate mitigation. But for this potential to be realised, everyone involved must work together. To help each group foster a more promising and sustainable future, consider the following call to action:

Governments (SIDS & ASEAN):

• Prioritize Capacity Building: Invest in educational initiatives that teach coastal communities in the South China Sea and Southeast Asia's neighbouring countries optimal techniques for growing, processing, and selling seaweed. This gives the local population the ability to actively engage in the seaweed economy.

• Embrace dMRV Technology: Provide funding for the dMRV technology's implementation around seaweed farms, especially in SIDS. This makes data-driven decision-making possible and makes it easier to monitor the condition of the ocean continuously.

• Foster Knowledge Sharing: Form alliances with NGOs and research centres to promote technology adoption and knowledge sharing in SIDS. Research and development collaborations can improve seaweed cultivation techniques and spur innovation.

• Facilitate Financing: Provide easily obtainable financial options for seaweed farming initiatives in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), especially those emphasising community ownership and sustainable methods. Singapore’s impressive concentration of financial institutions and family offices may be the ideal epi-centre for such impact investments. 

• Regional Cooperation: In order to establish ASEAN as a world leader in sustainable seaweed production, encourage regional cooperation within the region for knowledge sharing, the exchange of best practices, and cooperative marketing activities.

Investors:

• Support Sustainable Businesses: Invest directly with seaweed-based companies in the ASEAN and SIDS that put an emphasis on fair relationships, environmental sustainability, and community development. This guarantees that the people who need the advantages most from a robust seaweed sector receive them.

Municipalities (SIDS & ASEAN):

• Seaweed in Coastal Plans: Seaweed farming should be included into coastal management plans, with solutions customised to meet the unique requirements of each region. To guarantee responsible development, take into account elements including current infrastructure, neighbourhood needs, and potential environmental effects. From Singapore’s perspective, the ambitious “Long Island” plan as part of its coastal protection at the east coast of the island state can also incorporate seaweed production to take advantage of its many ecological and economic benefits. 

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Inform locals about seaweed farming's advantages for the environment and the economy. Responsible participation with the sector is encouraged and public support is fostered.

Consumers:

• Sustainable Choices: Select items that use seaweed that is sourced responsibly, especially those that aid SIDS communities. Seek certifications that attest to fair trade standards and responsible harvesting methods. Each thoughtful purchase helps create a future that is more sustainable.

Businesses:

• Seaweed Innovation: Consider adding seaweed to currently available items or creating brand-new seaweed-based products for your business. This can include using natural elements such as seaweed extracts or implementing seaweed-based bioplastics.

• Sourcing from SIDS: Make it a priority to purchase seaweed from SIDS countries whenever you can. This encourages fair collaborations and gives small island populations the ability to take centre stage in the world seaweed industry.

A thriving future for all

We can build a robust seaweed farming sector throughout ASEAN by responding to this call to action, with SIDS emerging as leaders in this sustainable development endeavour. In a future when seaweed farms are abundant along ASEAN's coastlines, the water will be healthier and cleaner, coastal communities will benefit economically, and a sense of shared wealth will be fostered. This "emerald hope" is achievable, but everyone involved must be committed to it. To ensure a more sustainable future for ASEAN and the world, let's work together, foster a collaborative mindset, and take advantage of seaweed's transformational potential.

X. Conclusion: A Seaweed revolution beckons

Seaweed farming has nothing short of revolutionary potential to change the coastlines of ASEAN and hasten our goals for pollution reduction, decarbonisation, and climate mitigation. This "emerald hope" provides a comprehensive answer that tackles environmental issues, promotes economic development, and gives coastal communities -  specially those in SIDS - more authority.

Empowering SIDS: Champions of sustainability

Seaweed farming offers Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in ASEAN a potent tool for fostering resilience and negotiating the challenges of a changing environment. Seaweed gives Small Island Developing States (SIDS) the ability to become leaders in sustainability by promoting coastal conservation, improving food security, and diversifying the economy. Imagine a day when seaweed helps SIDS communities become global leaders in the creation and use of cutting-edge seaweed-based solutions, in addition to contributing to their economic prosperity.

A brighter future for our oceans and our planet

Beyond the short-term advantages, seaweed has a very bright future. Exciting new applications are being investigated via ongoing research, such as bioplastics made from seaweed that provide a sustainable substitute for conventional plastics and lessen our environmental impact. Additional opportunities for a cleaner and healthier earth are provided by bioremediation projects that make use of seaweed's innate capacity to absorb toxins.

Embrace the collective power of seaweed

Seaweed farming holds the potential to be a game-changer; it is not out of reach. Governments, investors, towns, consumers, and companies can all harness the power of seaweed to create a better future for our oceans and the earth by encouraging a culture of cooperation and group effort.

Action must be taken immediately. Together, let's promote ethical behaviour, capitalise on innovation, and unite. A future where ASEAN's coastlines flourish, our oceans teeming with life, and a feeling of shared wealth flourishes can be ours, if we empower SIDS people and embrace the transforming potential of seaweed. In order to ensure the future well-being of our world for future generations, let's work together to make the "emerald hope" of seaweed a reality, not just for ASEAN