Protecting Ocean Life, Powering Climate Solutions

​The ocean is one of the planet's greatest carbon sinks, and marine wildlife helps keep it working. Growing evidence shows that protecting marine animals can strengthen natural carbon cycles. Marine animals are more than beneficiaries of conservation; they are active contributors to a healthy climate. They play a vital but often overlooked role in regulating the ocean's natural carbon cycle. From whales and dugongs to mesopelagic fish, marine species help move and store carbon from the coast to the deep ocean. This session will explore the latest science on how conserving and restoring marine animal populations can enhance nature's climate functions, and why protecting ocean biodiversity should be a key part of global climate and conservation strategies.