Whales and climate

Whales, the largest animals to ever inhabit the Earth, fill us with a sense of awe and wonder. They are integral parts of Earth's ecosystems and provide important services to other species, including humans. Yet, whales are facing increasing impacts from climate change and other human-induced threats; the risk of ignoring these impacts on whale populations may be severe. This is because whales may provide a key opportunity to combat climate change by helping to trap carbon from the atmosphere. This concept of "whale carbon" is an exciting area of research that can aid in whale conservation, making robust whale populations not only important for the cultural and aesthetic inspiration that they bring to the world, but also for their integral role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems and assisting in the cycling of carbon.