Whales are one of the most endangered marine animals

I've spent much of my adult life working to protect our ocean and its sea life. From the sea turtle to the manatee to the right whale, together, we are committed to preserving this important ecosystem.

The ocean and the creatures in it act as a carbon sink, removing carbon from our atmosphere. This helps to slow the threat of climate change caused by excess amounts of carbon. But many important marine species are endangered, including 7 out of the 13 species of great whales.

Last month, a new research paper was published detailing how a recovery in whale populations could increase their ability to act as a carbon sink and combat the climate crisis.

Whales are exceptionally good at reducing carbon because of their massive size. These large mammals can live over a hundred years, accumulating vast amounts of carbon. A 2019 report published by the International Monetary Fund estimates that a great whale can sequester up to 33 tons of carbon each year. Compare that to a tree that absorbs about 48 pounds of carbon annually.

Every day, whales consume up to 4% of their body weight in krill and photosynthetic plankton. Their excrement then helps krill and plankton flourish by providing necessary nutrients and aiding photosynthesis – removing still more carbon.

When whales die, they sink to the bottom of the ocean, carrying their carbon stores with them and keeping large amounts of carbon out of the atmosphere for centuries.

Whales are one of the most endangered marine animals on the earth due to habitat destruction, rising global temperatures, historical whaling, and entanglement with fishing lines.

One species is of particular concern: the right whale. There are only an estimated 340 right whales remaining. Due to habitat destruction, fishing entanglement stress, and food shortages, many right whales cannot calf every three years, as they once were. Some don't even calf at all. We must do all we can for the right whale. As Dr. Michael Moore writes, "We must save the North Atlantic right whale to save ourselves."

Among all these clouds, there is a small ray of sunlight. Global Warming Solutions and many other climate activists have successfully advocated for the right whale. Just this month, Massachusetts declared April 24 as Right Whale Day. And, with ten new calves born in 2022, I am more hopeful than ever that we will succeed at saving this species and many like it from extinction in the future.

Together, we will continue our advocacy for the right whale and see many more victories for these amazing creatures and our planet.

Rob