Helping oceans help the climate
Growing Oceans is a team of scientists researching the role nitrogen-fixation plays in drawing down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Learning how nature draws down carbon dioxide
Phytoplankton, the microscopic plants that live in the ocean, are the primary producers that sustain all marine life. Using energy from sunlight to photosynthesize, they pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it naturally in the oceans. Just like planting trees can be a natural pathway for climate and habitat restoration, enabling the growth of tiny marine plants may help restore ocean and climate health.
Our research is inspired by observations of natural volcanic hydrothermal vents that add nutrients to the upper ocean. Our goal is to assess how nutrient amendments might support phytoplankton growth and carbon drawdown in waters that don’t naturally receive many nutrients.
Collaboration
As scientific advisors to our Pacific Island partners, we want to support these sovereign nations as they explore the potential of Nitrogen Fixation for Phytoplankton Carbon to support their climate and development aspirations.
Science first
Growing Oceans is a nonprofit research organization committed to the highest standards of peer-reviewed scientific research. All the data we collect is owned by the countries where we operate, and we are committed to sharing it as widely as possible.
Co-design always
We work closely to co-design our research protocols with our Pacific nation partners, because they are the sovereign authorities over the waters we study.
Our Mission
Our mission is to lead an international scientific collaboration to generate new knowledge on the way nitrogen fixation allows phytoplankton to draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Our Team
Our team brings together researchers from top universities with local researchers and climate activists.
Contact
Reach out to learn more about Growing Oceans, or to support our work.