February 16th is World Whale Day.
One little-known but interesting fact about whales is that some species have been found to store carbon in their bodies for over a century, making them natural climate allies.
How does that work?
When whales die and sink to the ocean floor, their massive bodies trap carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. This process, known as “whale fall,” not only sequesters carbon but also creates entire deep-sea ecosystems, providing food for scavengers and sustaining marine biodiversity for decades.
Essentially, whales act as floating carbon reservoirs, and their conservation may contribute to climate change mitigation in a way we’re only beginning to understand.
Which whales are thought to store the most carbon? Some characteristics:
- Size & biomass: Larger whales store more carbon simply due to their sheer body mass.
- Longevity: The longer a whale lives, the longer carbon remains out of the atmospheric cycle.
- Deep-sea sinking: When these whales die and sink, their bodies sequester carbon for hundreds to thousands of years in the ocean depths.
- Population size: The more whales, the more carbon sequestered.
Which species?
- Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus): These deep-diving toothed whales can live over 70 years and weigh up to 57 metric tons. (Estimated global population: 300,000)
- Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus): The largest animal on Earth, reaching up to 200 metric tons and living 70-90 years. (Estimated global population: 10,000-25,000)
- Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus): The second-largest whale species, growing up to 85 feet long and living over 80 years. (Estimated global population: 50,000-90,000)
- Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae): Weighing up to 40 metric tons, humpbacks are highly migratory and influence ocean nutrient cycles. (Estimated global population: 135,000)
- Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus): The longest-living whale species, with individuals exceeding 200 years of age and weighing up to 100 metric tons. (Estimated global population: 8,000-20,000)
