Seaweed Rising: A Silent Force Against Climate Change

Hey RYSERS,

There’s something stirring beneath the waves.
It’s not loud. It doesn’t make headlines. But it’s quietly becoming one of the most powerful tools we have to fight climate change. Seaweed.
More specifically: kelp.

It grows in cold coastal waters, stretching toward the sun in vast underwater forests. And it’s having a moment, not just as a superfood or a skincare ingredient, but as a climate hero.

This May, we’re taking you below the surface to explore how kelp is helping our planet heal, and why this silent, swaying plant deserves our full attention.

The Power of Kelp

Kelp is one of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth. Some species can grow up to 18 inches a day. It doesn’t need soil, fresh water, or fertilizer. It just grows absorbing carbon dioxide, cleaning the water, and creating thriving marine habitats as it goes.

It’s nature doing what it does best: restoring balance.

And scientists are finally catching up to what the ocean has always known, kelp might be one of our most effective and elegant climate solutions.

A Forest Beneath the Surface

Much like trees on land, kelp forests play a vital role in maintaining ecological health. They absorb carbon, filter out excess nitrogen (which pollutes coastal waters), and reduce ocean acidity. They also act as shelter for fish, crustaceans, and sea mammals, helping to restore biodiversity in struggling waters.

But here’s the thing: while coral reefs are struggling to survive in warmer, more acidic oceans, kelp can thrive in the very same waters, especially when responsibly farmed.

Kelp on Land: From Ocean Plant to Climate Solution

What makes kelp so remarkable is that its climate power doesn’t end in the ocean. Once harvested, it can be transformed into:

  • Biodegradable packaging to replace plastic

  • Fertilizers that enrich soil without causing harmful runoff

  • Animal feed that reduces methane emissions in livestock

  • Plant-based food products like kelp jerky, veggie burgers, noodles and more.

  • And even early prototypes of seaweed-based textiles

  • Cosmetics and personal care items. Include shampoo, facial cream, lotion, and even toothpaste.

  • We’ve also spotted kelp as a key ingredient in pharmaceuticals, pet food and more.

Innovators are looking at kelp as a regenerative raw material—one that grows fast, requires no land or fresh water, and captures carbon while it thrives. It’s not just a climate solution underwater—it’s part of a growing movement on land too.

Kelp as a Superfood: Nutrients from the Sea

As if helping to heal the planet weren’t enough, kelp is also incredibly good for us.

Often called one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth, kelp is rich in essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. While we’re not here to give medical advice, many people include sea kelp in their diets for its long list of potential health benefits.

Here are just a few:

  • Low in calories and fat, but high in impact

  • A natural source of iodine, magnesium, potassium, iron, and folic acid

  • Contains antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids

  • May boost energy levels and brain function

  • Can help support bone health and cardiovascular function

  • Known to aid metabolism and improve blood pressure

  • Supports a healthy immune system and eye health

  • And believe it or not: it has more calcium per ounce than milk!

Pretty super, right?

That said, kelp is also powerful—especially when it comes to iodine. So if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking thyroid medication, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before adding kelp supplements to your routine. Moderation and medical guidance are key.

What’s Happening in the U.S.

Kelp farming is gaining momentum in the U.S., with active sea farms in Maine, Alaska, California, and Connecticut. And now? New York is getting in the game.

After years of research and regulatory groundwork, kelp farms are now permitted in parts of the Peconic Estuary, off Long Island. These early-stage farms are helping clean the water, support local economies, and generate serious climate potential.

At RYSIT, we’re watching this closely. We’re deeply interested in the regenerative potential of kelp farming — It’s aligned with everything we believe in: local, thoughtful, climate-positive action.

Why Now Is the Moment

This isn’t about trends. It’s about timing. Climate anxiety is rising, yes, but so is our capacity to respond with real tools.

Kelp is one of them.

It offers hope that’s not abstract, but actionable. It doesn’t rely on future inventions or far-off tech. It grows. It restores. It heals. And we can support it, right now.

So, what can we do?

Use a kelp fertilizer in your garden. Support the growing seaweed economy. Spread the word or just simply try a snack.

Not all climate solutions are high-tech. Some just grow toward the sun, like they always have.

Closing Thoughts

In a world that’s often overwhelmed by climate doom and division, seaweed is a reminder that solutions do exist, and they’re growing just beneath our feet.

We don’t need to invent everything from scratch. Sometimes, the Earth has already written the playbook.
We just need to pay attention.

With love, seaweed, and rising hope,

The RYSIT team

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Hope after Earth Month: How Climate Tech Is Protecting Our Oceans