Kelp
Kelp, colloquially called seaweed, refers to a group of brown algae comprised of 34 genera with 129 different species. Kelp can store about six times as much CO2 as trees and is therefore particularly interesting for us. Unfortunately, at the moment it is not yet possible to build a property without generating any CO2, at least not if it is supposed to be affordable. The CO2 which can neither be neutralized by the careful selection of building materials, nor by the wooden construction method, we neutralize by financially supporting kelp reforestation.
For that purpose, we have partnered with SeaForester, a corporation dedicated to the reforestation of dead kelp forests in the oceans. Kelp not only binds CO2 but also improves the quality of the water, reduces acidity and enriches it with oxygen. It also slows down wave action on exposed coasts, preventing erosion and provides a habitat for many marine animals, which find protection from predators and often use the algae forests as a nursery. The cultivation of kelp is therefore not only a measure for climate protection, but also improves the biodiversity and water quality of our oceans.
SeaForester has developed Green Gravel, a new method to replant kelp forests on a large scale and do so cost-efficiently. Young kelp plants (zygotes) are grown on pebbles in a cultivation station. These can then be conveniently deployed from a boat to appropriate coastal areas without the need for divers (see video). The roots of the small plants then grow beyond the pebbles and anchor themselves in the ground from where they grow towards the surface. Due to the very rapid growth of many kelp species, this method can be used to reforest large sections of coastline in a short period of time.
You can find further information and interesting links on the right-hand side of this page.