GRID-Arendal’s Role:

One of GRID-Arendal’s roles in the SEA-Quester Project, funded by the EU Horizon Programme, was to design, develop, and maintain the official website. Built using a custom WordPress theme, the website serves as a central hub for sharing project outputs, information, research, and resources. On the homepage, you can find a custom interactive animation created to explain the concept of “polar blue carbon”. Engaging digital tools like this can help audiences better visualise abstract concepts like carbon sequestration and how climate change and biodiversity loss are impacting these key processes. We hope the website helps improve visibility and understanding of the latest polar research, supporting ocean literacy and fact-based decision-making in Arctic marine ecosystems.

Project Description: SeaQuester

The SeaQuester Project is dedicated to investigating marine carbon cycling in novel ecosystems in the polar seas that are emerging due to climate change. These ecosystems, which are increasingly transforming as a result of the warming climate, offer new opportunities for understanding the role of marine systems in capturing and storing carbon, also known as “blue carbon.”

Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration, SeaQuester aims to identify and promote nature-based solutions that enhance carbon sequestration in these rapidly changing environments. The project focuses on leveraging the role of ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, mangroves, and salt marshes, while expanding research into the unique and emerging ecosystems of the polar regions. The custom interactive animation on the website further aids in explaining these complex processes to a broad audience.

SeaQuester brings together experts from various fields, including marine science, environmental policy, and conservation, to develop innovative strategies for enhancing blue carbon sequestration. The project also works to engage policymakers, businesses, and the public in discussions about how marine ecosystems can contribute to global climate goals, particularly in polar regions where climate change is accelerating.

By providing a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and public engagement, SeaQuester supports efforts to scale up the use of blue carbon solutions and ensure the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. For more details on the project’s partners and ongoing initiatives, visit SeaQuester About.

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