Andrea Meza Murillo and Gill Einhorn
December 5, 2025
These Japanese volunteers are planting seagrass to fight climate change
Around 100 volunteers gather on beaches in Yokohama to plant eelgrass seedlings beneath the water. The shallow waters around Tokyo Bay used to teem with eelgrass, a type of seagrass. But as Japan’s 2 largest cities - Tokyo and Yokohama - developed nearby, the eelgrass died out. The volunteers have been working for more than 2 decades, but they face an uphill struggle.
Around 100 volunteers gathered on beaches in Yokohama to plant eelgrass seedlings beneath the water. The shallow waters around Tokyo Bay used to teem with eelgrass, but with the development of Japan's two largest cities, Tokyo and Yokohama nearby, the eelgrass died out.
Decades-long struggle to restore seagrass
The volunteers have been working for more than two decades, but they face an uphill struggle. Disease, pollution, and global warming are making it harder for seagrass to thrive.
Seagrass and climate change
Seagrass is a powerful ally in the fight against climate change. However, with global seagrass meadows shrinking by almost 7% annually, concerns about the conservation of seagrass are being raised.
Protecting ocean health through global collaboration
Healthy oceans are crucial economically. The World Economic Forum tackles this through two initiatives:
- The Blue Carbon Action Partnership: Protects seagrass, mangroves, and marshes by securing funding, research, and community involvement.
- The Ocean Action Agenda: Promotes a healthy ocean through restoration, protection, and building resilience in coastal communities.
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