Climate change poses a pressing threat to coastal ecosystems and communities around the world, and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are among the most vulnerable regions. Rising sea levels and stronger storms are already increasing the vulnerability of coastal communities and low-lying island nations in the Caribbean to climate hazards. At the same time, the region holds a wealth of “blue carbon” ecosystems that capture and store vast amounts of carbon while protecting shorelines. However, scientific data on blue carbon in LAC remain sparse, reflecting a global trend where roughly half of all mangrove-harboring countries lack basic carbon stock assessments. In this context, the appointment of Dr. Miguel Cifuentes-Jara as a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) Working Group II (Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability) is a significant development. Dr. Cifuentes-Jara’s extensive experience in blue carbon science and his role as co-chair of the UN Ocean Decade’s Global Programme for Blue Carbon (GO-BC) promise to bridge critical knowledge gaps and advance climate adaptation strategies for LAC and the world.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Dr. Cifuentes-Jara is a global change ecologist with nearly 25 years of experience in climate-related research, technical assistance, and policy development. Over his career, he has emerged as a leading voice in blue carbon science and climate action. He previously served as the Blue Climate Senior Director at Conservation International and currently works as a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, while also co-chairing the UN Ocean Decade Global Programme for Blue Carbon (GO-BC). In these roles, he has helped connect scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to elevate the profile of blue carbon ecosystems in addressing climate change. Notably, Dr. Cifuentes-Jara is a member of the International Blue Carbon Initiative’s Science Working Group, a global network led by Conservation International, IUCN, and UNESCO, which works to incorporate coastal carbon ecosystems into climate solutions. He has authored or co-authored over 60 scientific publications and previously contributed to the IPCC as a Lead Author of the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere (SROCC). This blend of scientific expertise and policy engagement makes him uniquely qualified to champion blue carbon issues in the upcoming IPCC assessment.

​

Blue carbon has been a focal point of Dr. Cifuentes-Jara’s recent career, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2011, he led the region’s first comprehensive blue carbon study and used that seminal research to spearhead blue carbon science and policy instruments across several countries. He and his colleagues have worked directly with national governments and local partners to develop robust data, methodologies, and strategies for protecting and restoring coastal blue carbon ecosystems.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

 

 

With the IPCC AR7 cycle now underway, Dr. Cifuentes-Jara’s appointment as a Lead Author in Working Group II (the group focused on climate impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability) is both an honor and a strategic opportunity for blue carbon science. He has been assigned to work on the Latin America and Caribbean chapter of the AR7 report, which means he and his co-authors will assess how climate change is affecting the region and evaluate adaptation options. By bringing his blue carbon expertise to the table, Dr. Cifuentes-Jara will help ensure that coastal ecosystems feature prominently in the discussion of regional vulnerabilities and solutions.

​

Dr. Cifuentes-Jara’s dual leadership in IPCC AR7 and the UN Ocean Decade Global Programme for Blue Carbon (GO-BC) creates a powerful synergy between science and action. The GO-BC programme, which he co-chairs, is an international partnership under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). Its vision is to connect global blue carbon experts, deepen understanding of the ocean-climate relationship, and produce innovative, science-based solutions that benefit both people and nature. These objectives align closely with the needs identified in the IPCC process for LAC: more research and data, better regional collaboration, and improved science communication to policymakers.

​

The coming years will be critical for our oceans and coasts. As the IPCC AR7 unfolds, the world will be watching how countries ramp up their climate adaptation efforts in light of the latest findings. Thanks to experts like Dr. Miguel Cifuentes-Jara, blue carbon ecosystems will be at the forefront of these discussions. His leadership ensures that Latin America and the Caribbean’s voice is heard; a voice that calls for recognizing the region’s rich coastal ecosystems not as victims of climate change, but as part of the solution.