U.S. States Play Major Role Boosting, Expanding 'Blue Carbon'
Collected research and analyses of states’ efforts to leverage coastal habitats to address climate change
![Wetlands Wetlands](/-/media/post-launch-images/2021/09/gettyimages170409159jpgmaster/16x9_m.jpg?la=es&h=1024&w=1820&hash=2A8B073D416BA5E527F8F5DF022C9B21)
U.S. states and local jurisdictions are largely responsible for governing their coasts, so they play a critical role in ensuring the protection and restoration of “blue carbon” habitats, such as seagrasses and salt marshes, that absorb and sequester the carbon that drives climate change and offer many other benefits to coastal communities and the environment. For example, the forested tidal wetlands in Oregon—which have declined 95% from historic levels—store more carbon per acre than almost any ecosystem on Earth, while also supporting fisheries, improving water quality, and protecting communities from flooding.
The Pew Charitable Trusts collaborates with governmental entities and researchers in targeted states to identify and catalog blue carbon habitats and craft strategies to maintain and enhance them as part of larger efforts to address climate change. Further, because the U.S. rejoined the Paris Agreement in February 2021, federal policymakers also have a renewed opportunity to advance national goals on this vital issue and make the country’s coastal communities more resilient to the growing threats from climate change.
![A marsh with mostly water in the foreground and mostly seagrasses beyond is tranquil in the soft light of sunrise or sunset, which gives most of the seagrasses a golden hue. The sky is partly cloudy.](/-/media/post-launch-images/2024/06/gettyimages860478581jpgmaster/16x9_m.jpg?la=es&h=346&w=615&hash=52716842AFB532412DCD0954ED334AE6)
![A marsh with mostly water in the foreground and mostly seagrasses beyond is tranquil in the soft light of sunrise or sunset, which gives most of the seagrasses a golden hue. The sky is partly cloudy.](/-/media/post-launch-images/2024/06/gettyimages860478581jpgmaster/1x1_s.jpg?la=es&h=615&w=615&hash=6AAA843D66E788670C34A730410A69D3)
States Harness Coastal Wetlands to Meet Climate Goals
![A person in wader boots stands in shallow water with partially submerged vegetation and dips a yellow ruler into the water. Bushes and a blue sky with clouds fill in the background.](/-/media/post-launch-images/2023/11/gettyimages1313932993jpgmaster/16x9_m.jpg?la=es&h=346&w=615&hash=18BE046130B0300F57EF2A12C5CE826C)
![A person in wader boots stands in shallow water with partially submerged vegetation and dips a yellow ruler into the water. Bushes and a blue sky with clouds fill in the background.](/-/media/post-launch-images/2023/11/gettyimages1313932993jpgmaster/1x1_s.jpg?la=es&h=615&w=615&hash=40CACD27AC38D436577BE38F3A91A2CE)
How States Can Develop Blue Carbon Programs
![A person in a red jacket, blue jeans, and black waders stands in a shallow, rocky riverbed and fly fishes next to a cliff dotted with boulders. A few trees and plants protrude from the rocks, and other greenery hugs part of the water’s edge.](/-/media/post-launch-images/2024/04/odonnellnmpecosamigosbravosonrwterreroriverrural009jpgmaster/16x9_m.jpg?la=es&h=346&w=615&hash=DD59607CBCF05117A7344A48328EDF2D)
![A person in a red jacket, blue jeans, and black waders stands in a shallow, rocky riverbed and fly fishes next to a cliff dotted with boulders. A few trees and plants protrude from the rocks, and other greenery hugs part of the water’s edge.](/-/media/post-launch-images/2024/04/odonnellnmpecosamigosbravosonrwterreroriverrural009jpgmaster/1x1_s.jpg?la=es&h=615&w=615&hash=CE955DAD06D7486F6D1914C4582DFBF2)
New Administration Conservation Goals Rely on Partnerships
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