Only 11.4% of the Earth’s surface is suitable for crops or grazing, and only 3.4% is arable, compared to 70% of the Earth covered in oceans. Plus, there’s stiff competition for land between the needs for agriculture, buildings and roads, renewable energy production, and nature. Ocean farms avoid that competition for space. Ocean farming of kelp also creates a useful habitat for a variety of species, from sea otters to squid. In the Pacific Northwest, the recovery of kelp forests led to a dramatic increase in salmon, cod, and rockfish populations. On land, there are limits on available freshwater, and crops often need fertilizers and pesticides to survive, even though they cause major issues with pollution, have health consequences for people, and are linked to huge carbon footprints. None of these limitations exist in the coastal settings where ocean farming is set to take off. Unlike farms on land, which can cause negative impacts on surrounding natural landscapes, growing seaweed and bivalves can benefit nearby marine ecosystems, from reversing ocean acidification in the surrounding water to removing excess nutrients that can bleach coral reefs. The Seaweed as a Nature-Based Climate Solution vision statement produced by the Ocean Stewardship Coalition provides a useful overview of the role ocean farming can play going forward in addressing climate change. THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT THIS Find seaweed products from marine permaculture farms. Despite a long history of cultivation by various groups, including Alaska natives, Hawaiians, and even early twentieth-century Californians, the resurgence of interest in seaweed cultivation in much of the West is in its initial shaky early stages. One of the best things you can do to support the expansion of marine permaculture is to become an early adopter of regionally-grown seaweed products. Here is a sample of companies and guides to seaweed products: The New York Times guide to seaweed food products. Blue Evolution is a California company selling seaweed-derived foods made from seaweed from Alaska down to Baja California and working closely with farmers to ensure they can access seed lines and other resources for establishing seaweed farms. Dill kelp pickles and hot sauces from Barnacle Foods. Seaweed seasonings from Daybreak Seaweed Company in the U.S. and SeaGrown in the U.K. Kelp burgers and jerky from Akua. Kelp Help, a bull-kelp-derived plant stimulant to improve soil health and crop growth from Pacific Northwest Organics. Seaweed straws are a “hyper-compostable” alternative to plastic straws from Loliware. Kelp plastic from Sway. Sauce sachets, paper, and boxes from Notpla. Liquid Kelp is a fertilizer and plant stimulant from GS Plant Foods. Kelp powder is an ingredient for homemade soaps from Nature’s Garden.