Seagrass meadows are in global decline and we need to take action to protect this vital natural resource. A modest-looking plant that gets little attention, seagrass is actually one of the most important on earth. Seagrass meadows are good for sealife and ecology, and they are one of the most effective carbon stores on the planet. The loss of seagrass is not a loss we can afford.Seagrass meadows exist in coastal fringes around the world. These
"powerhouses of the sea" filter vast quantities nutrients and help create rich ecosystems that support fisheries. They also store huge amounts of CO2, so as the meadows decline, global warming increases.
The situation has become so urgent on such a wide scale that
122 scientists around the world have signed a statement calling for the protection of seagrass. As the scientists explain in their statement, it is still possible to protect and replenish the meadows. In places where conservation measures have been put in place, such as Florida, there has been encouraging largescale seagrass meadow recovery.
Please sign this petition to demand that seagrass meadows be included in Include seagrass meadows in America's MPAs (Marine Protected Areas). This is the first step towards conserving the meadows and working towards recovery of lost seagrass. If enough people sign, we can bring the importance of this issue to national attention. 