World’s First Marine Biodiversity Credit from SeaTrees On Sale Today at COP16
SeaTrees and Artist/Advocate Benjamin Von Wong Unveil “Biodiversity Jenga” Installation in the COP16 Conference “Blue Zone” through 1 November 2024
CALI, COLOMBIA (24 October 2024)—Delegates from 196 countries are in Colombia for the COP16 Biodiversity Conference, where SeaTrees debuts SeaTrees Biodiversity Blocks, a groundbreaking funding model to restore and protect critical ocean ecosystems that are under dire threat from climate change and human impacts. Marking the release of SeaTrees Biodiversity Blocks, SeaTrees has partnered with artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong to create "Biodiversity Jenga," a 21-foot-tall sculpture that symbolizes the call to action for reversing biodiversity loss and climate change.
The Ocean’s biodiversity provides livelihoods for 3 billion people, and blue carbon ecosystems sequester CO2 five times faster than terrestrial ecosystems. However, only 4% of conservation funding and 0.2% of carbon market funding go towards ocean projects. SeaTrees Biodiversity Blocks aims to fix this funding imbalance with a science-based approach that supports Indigenous peoples and local communities to protect and restore their local ecosystems.
“SeaTrees Biodiversity Blocks have been designed from first principles to create high-integrity biodiversity credits that can rapidly fund ocean restoration and protection projects,” says Kevin Whilden, Co-Founder of SeaTrees. “Our credit model solves key problems that affect carbon credits and fosters rapid innovation in marine conservation methods.”
SeaTrees' first-ever Biodiverstiy Blocks are now available to buy online from the Marereni Kenya Biodiversity Blocks project. The initial offering includes 300,000 marine biodiversity credits, one of the largest initiatives of its kind. These credits, offered for three dollars each, will plant one mangrove tree and ensure ten years of maintenance and monitoring of biodiversity uplift. Over ten years, the project will create 1,200 jobs for the local community.
SeaTrees Biodiversity Blocks have many innovative features, never before used in either carbon or biodiversity credits. Blocks quantify the stewardship actions local communities take to protect their local ecosystems, such as planting a tree. Each year, the project measures biodiversity uplift and reports this outcome directly to buyers using our Dynamic Outcome Reporting dashboard. The dashboard also includes photos, videos and stories from the project, giving Blocks buyers tangible evidence of the project in action.
SeaTrees Biodiversity Blocks use blockchain technology to ensure maximum transparency and accountability in the credit value chain. Blocks are issued on Regen Network, the world’s leading blockchain registry for eco-credits. All blocks are retired on behalf of buyers, who also receive a digital receipt based on Solana NFT technology. This digital receipt has collectible artwork representing the project and enables access to SeaTrees’ Dynamic Impact Dashboard.
“Biodiversity markets are so new, SeaTrees has decided to retire all Blocks on behalf of buyers to eliminate any for-profit investment mechanics,” says Kevin Whilden. “This makes all purchases charitable in nature, which is our sweet spot as a non-profit organization.”
SeaTrees has an excellent content production team, which sets it apart from other ecosystem restoration organizations. All donators will receive project updates, including media content, photos, videos, and other stories about the project, along with impact evaluation reports. Corporate buyers will receive media asset kits to help tell the story of their donation.
Future plans for SeaTrees Biodiversity Blocks include restoration projects for coral reefs and kelp forests. Making SeaTrees the world’s leader in marine biodiversity credit projects.
SeaTrees Biodiversity Blocks is a platform for innovation in biodiversity Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) technology. Our flexible methodology approach allows new MRV tech solutions to be incorporated and tested in real world conditions. SeaTrees is working with Ocean Ledger to help monitor biodiversity uplift at Marereni Kenya Biodiversity Blocks. SeaTrees also provides scientific training to the local community to enhance their scientific and MRV capabilities.
“Ocean-based projects like mangrove, kelp and coral restoration are in high demand and extremely effective for coastal protection, habitat, and carbon sequestration, yet support for them hasn’t met their outsized role in our planetary emergency,” says Michael Stewart, Co-Founder of SeaTrees.“The SeaTrees biodiversity funding model enhances our ability to direct resources to where they’re needed most, with transparent, real-world results.”
- View the SeaTrees white paper on Biodiversity Blocks HERE.
- Get your own block HERE
- Assets can be downloaded from the MULTIMEDIA KIT
Learn more at www.seatrees.org and follow the build of “Biodiversity Jenga” and the launch of Biodiversity Blocks on SeaTrees Instagram, X, and Facebook.
About SeaTrees
SeaTrees is a 501c3 non-profit Sustainable Surf program that develops coastal restoration projects worldwide to reverse climate change. We believe the ocean is the hero of our story – to boost biodiversity, support local communities, and reverse climate change. Through SeaTrees, we plant, protect, and restore coastal ecosystems, including kelp and mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, oyster reefs, and coastal watersheds.
SeaTrees funds this work through donations from brands and individuals committed to reversing climate change and creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities. We partner with local nonprofit organizations at each project location to manage the restoration and protection work, providing a vast array of critical benefits to both the planet and people.
About Benjamin Von Wong and the Biodiversity Jenga Installation
Benjamin Von Wong's work lies at the intersection of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations like Starbucks, Dell, and NIKE, generating over a billion views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution.
The “Biodiversity Jenga” Installation was fabricated over a month by Jonny Edmonds and his team at Metamateriales Sas. Landscape designer Milton Duarte created the 12 ecosystems, spread across 34 blocks, while artisan Sasha Herrera built seven dioramas highlighting the leading causes of ecosystem destruction. Over 200 students from the Luis Madina and Santa Librada schools helped build 150 animals that populated our ecosystems, led by the artist coordinator Raizha Guzman. Carlos Hoyos completed the lighting design of the tower. Charlotte de Casabianca, who leads the Colombian chapter of Burners without Borders, coordinated the entire build with the support of Nicolas Saenz. Manuel Gussmann will create a behind-the-scenes documentary of the project. Environmental impact strategist Casson Trenor supported funding, design, production, and communications.
Media contacts for SeaTrees:
Lora Bodmer
+1.307.690.1630
Shana Frahm
+1.323.855-9884
shana@shanafrahm.com
Media contacts for Benjamin Von Wong:
Benjamin Von Wong
+1.702.576.2390
Suzy Johnston
Charlotte De Casabianca
+57 310 8631797