Problem Statement

Impoverished nations are among those most vulnerable to food and economic insecurity as oceans warm and once-fertile soils lose productivity. Fisheries are collapsing, and people who have traditionally relied on marine resources for their food and livelihoods are seeking alternative revenue streams. Roughly forty percent of CO2 emissions since the beginning of the industrial era are absorbed by the oceans, causing oceans to acidify, and endangering the delicate carbon balance and marine biodiversity. Over-extraction of nonrenewable marine resources and pollution further threaten ecosystems. Climate stressors on land negatively impact soil fertility, microbial content, and moisture retention of soils, meaning agricultural practices require frequent and expensive artificial fertilizers. Degraded land is nutrient-poor and prone to runoff during rain events, further threatening agricultural viability to produce quality fruit and vegetables. Meanwhile, there is a global shortage of seaweed. We can fill these market gaps while providing economic opportunities for small-scale networks in developing countries.In Madagascar, Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea, food security and environmental problems are affecting millions of people. By 2050, the population in Madagascar, and most other African countries is expected to double. Burgeoning populations put additional pressures on land and sea resources causing unsustainable extraction of virgin materials in a vicious cycle of poverty. Much of the wealth inherent in local resources is lost in this cycle, and dependence on external inputs deepens. In combination, these issues represent a runaway cycle of over-extraction of resources leading to collapse, creating further food insecurities and decreased productivity for marginalised people.