Peran Kritis Paus dalam Mekanisme Penyerapan Karbon Global

Recent scientific research increasingly confirms the fundamental role of giant marine mammals, specifically whales, in the planet's natural climate regulation mechanisms. These majestic marine species function as highly effective carbon sinks, exerting a substantial influence on atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Data indicates that a single large whale can sequester and store up to 33 metric tons of CO2 over its lifespan, a figure that significantly surpasses the average annual absorption capacity of a tree, which is approximately 22 kilograms per year.

This carbon sequestration occurs through two complementary primary mechanisms. The first involves carbon deposition upon death, a phenomenon known as 'whale fall,' where the carcass sinks to the deep ocean floor. This process isolates the carbon stored in their biomass within the deep-sea sediments for centuries, even millennia, effectively reducing the amount of carbon available in the surface layers. Furthermore, whales play a crucial role through the 'whale pump' mechanism. Marine biologists, including Professor Heidi Pearson of the University of Alaska, highlight that whale nutrient cycling activity is vital. Whale excrement, rich in iron and urea, acts as a natural fertilizer, stimulating phytoplankton populations at the ocean surface. Through photosynthesis, these phytoplankton absorb a vast volume of atmospheric carbon dioxide; collectively, they absorb about 40% of total global CO2, four times more than the Amazon Rainforest.

Efforts to restore whale populations are now viewed as a significant and integrated climate mitigation strategy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has monetized the role of whales, estimating the average conservation value of a large whale to exceed $2 million USD based on its contribution to carbon absorption. The total value of the current whale population could reach a staggering $1 trillion USD. This monetization concept aims to incentivize stakeholders to protect these species, potentially even compensating entities such as shipping companies that alter routes to avoid whale collisions.

However, this substantial potential faces serious threats to the survival of these animals. Global whale populations remain under severe pressure from past massive commercial whaling—an estimated 2.9 million whales were killed between 1900 and 1999—alongside contemporary dangers such as marine pollution and ship strikes. Researchers emphasize that whale survival must be integrated into global climate targets, such as those agreed upon by 190 nations in the 2015 Paris Agreement, given their irreplaceable role in maintaining climate resilience. Restoring the population from the current estimate of 1.3 million individuals toward an expected figure of 4 to 5 million is projected to capture an additional 1.7 billion tons of CO2 annually. This research affirms the close synergy between a healthy marine ecosystem and the success of global climate control efforts.