The ocean carbon cycle spans multiple scales and disciplines, which makes integration difficult and often fosters misconceptions or fragmented narratives in science and public discourse. We synthesize current understanding of ocean carbon stocks and fluxes – from blue carbon to whales and plastics – disentangling well-supported insights from misconceptions. We discuss the role of marine ecosystems and caution against narratives that reduce their value to carbon sequestration, a framing that may draw attention but is not always robust and should not be necessary since marine biodiversity is worth preserving regardless of its impact on carbon. 

Speaker Laure Resplandy is associate professor of geosciences and the High Meadows Environmental Institute. She is the third speaker in the fall 2025 HMEI Faculty Seminar Series. This seminar is free and open to the public. Lunch will be available in the Briger Atrium at 11:45 a.m. Click here to stream it live, no registration needed. You may submit a question for the Q&A here.