The Sweaty Penguin

Though we might not think about it much, seagrass is really important. It provides food and shelter for many fish and crustaceans, a source of oxygen for the ocean, and a special ability to absorb carbon that makes it an even more efficient carbon sink than forests. But due to temperature changes, extreme weather, agricultural runoff, and other human activities, seagrass populations are declining fast, which could exacerbate climate change, cost the economy, and destroy marine ecosystems. Today, we discuss what issues seagrass faces, why seagrass is so important, and what we can do to protect it. With special guest Dr. Lina Mtwana Nordlund: Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development at Uppsala University.

The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from PBS flagship station The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.

Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.