RE: Extreme E9 Jul 2022 22:35
The Legacy Programme in Sardinia will focus on both blue and green carbon stores. During July 2021 there were 13,000 more wildfires in Italy than has ever been recorded before. The resulting calamity has resulted in incalculable damage to thousands of people’s livelihoods, as well as to nature. The devastating fires destroyed vast swathes of pastures, agricultural land, and killed huge numbers of animals, including 30 million bees. It is estimated that it will take at least 15 years to rebuild the 20,000 hectares of land impacted. The Smithsonian Institute estimates that just a hectare of seagrass can produce 100,000 litres of oxygen a day. However, seagrasses are thought to be one of the most rapidly declining ecosystems in the world. It is estimated that 29 per cent of global seagrass has been lost and, if trends continue, another 20-30 per cent could be lost in the next 100 years. Extreme E will be focusing on how future damage can be reduced as well as how past destruction can be restored during the Enel X Island X Prix.
Firstly, the series will look to highlight the rapid warming of the planet, which has an impact on so many countries and has caused many parts of Europe, America and Australia to experience wildfires. In Sardinia, Extreme E will work with local NGOs to support the forest restoration efforts in the Oristanese area and beyond that fell victim to extensive damage, therefore enhancing green carbon stores.
Secondly, the focus will be put on seagrasses, specifically the Posidonia oceanics seagrass meadows - an ecosystem known as the rainforest of the oceans, and an environment that sequesters even more carbon dioxide than its terrestrial comparison and is equally threatened, making it a huge blue carbon store.
Extreme E will be working alongside MEDSEA (Mediterranean Sea and Coast Foundation) in Sardinia to support two significant projects. The first explores Green Carbon, incorporating the recovery response to this year’s devastating forest fires on the island. The second project supports the conservation of Posidonia oceanica (seagrass), mitigating the detrimental effects of Blue Carbon in Mediterranean waters.
Posidonia oceanica, which is instrumental in sequestering harmful ‘Blue Carbon’, is also under threat. Extreme E’s own scientists, in partnership with ENEL, will also be working with MEDSEA to reconnect and replenish the seagrass beds of Posidonia oceanica in the waters of the Marine Protected Areas around Sardinia.
https://www.extreme-e.com/en/history/s01/locations