Drone images give hope for return of kelp on U.S. West coast

A kelp forest is seen in Saunders Reef off the coast of Gualala, California, U.S., September 21, 2021. Picture taken with a drone on September 21, 2021. REUTERS/Nathan Frandino

GUALALA, Calif. (Reuters) - Tranquil images of the Pacific Ocean taken by a drone show that California's kelp forests may be making a comeback after years of depletion, bringing good news in the fight against climate change.

Kelp, which reduces global warming by soaking up carbon dioxide from the air via photosynthesis, has died off dramatically along Northern California's coast, with one study calculating a loss of more than 95% since 2013 due to rising sea temperatures and disease.