The Greene Lab
The Greene Lab
Climate, Energy & Food from the Sea
With micro- and macro-algae as its foundation, the Marine Circular Bioeconomy can provide a new conceptual framework for marine aquaculture, one that can contribute significantly to human nutrition while improving environmental sustainability and protecting biodiversity. Nutrient recycling in algae-based wastewater treatment will close the circle in production processes, leading to the co-production of more environmentally favorable, algae-based energy products and materials. Sustainability benefits will include reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater use, arable land demand, eutrophication, and biodiversity loss.
- Greene, C.H., and C.M. Scott-Buechler. 2022. Algal solutions: transforming marine aquaculture for a sustainable future. PLOS Biology 20(10): e3001824.
- Greene, C.H., C.M. Scott-Buechler, A.L.P. Hausner, Z.I. Johnson, Xingen Lei, and M.E. Huntley. 2022. Transforming the future of marine aquaculture: a circular economy approach. Oceanography 35(2): 26–34.
Figure 1. Marine Circular Bioeconomy Concept
Comprised of academics, industry representatives, NGO advocates, and federal program managers.
Primary objective: Explore the potential of marine aquaculture for sustainably intensifying global food production system.
Secondary objectives: 1) Consider the role of marine aquaculture in the coastal circular bioeconomy; 2) Map potential for nutrient, wastewater, and other material cycling in sustainable seafood production; 3) Highlight opportunities for co-producing biofuels and materials.
Food systems present critical challenges to achieving planetary stability.
The current food system produces up to 37% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions.
Meeting the 2050 food demand with present-day terrestrial agriculture would require between 1.5 and 7.3 million km2 of additional land, beyond the current 11 km2 of cropland. Today's agricultural system already poses acute threats to biodiversity and climate stability.
Figure 2. Cumulative CO2-eq Emissions from Protein Production under Three Different Socio-Economic Scenarios
Figure 3. a. Country-by-Country Projections of Protein Demand by 2050.
Figure 3. b. Change in Country-by-Country Projections of Protein Demand between 2020 and 2050
Without competing for arable land or freshwater, the large-scale industrial production of marine microalgae on land can improve climate, energy, food, and freshwater security. The coastal subtropical regions of the world are especially attractive.
Most wild fisheries are already fully or over exploited; there is little opportunity to increase protein production from them.
Marine aquaculture has expanded rapidly in recent years, especially with regard to finfish and shellfish. However, many practices are not sustainable and have resulted in an unfavorable environmental reputation.
With micro- and macro-algae as its foundation, the Marine Circular Bioeconomy can provide a new conceptual framework for marine aquaculture, one that can contribute significantly to human nutrition while improving environmental sustainability and protecting biodiversity
Figure 4. a. Global Map of Marine Microalgae Biomass Productivity Potential. b. Attractive Sites for Marine Microalgae Production Based on Geophysical Criteria.
Figure 4. b. Attractive Sites for Marine Microalgae Production Based on Geophysical Criteria.
