When the world was still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adam Ornstein found himself grappling with a deeper, older crisis—one that had shadowed his awareness since childhood: climate change.
“I remembered learning about climate change in grammar school,” Adam recalls. “And now, as a full-fledged adult, I was hearing the same warnings all over again—with little meaningful progress to show for it.”
The frustration wasn’t just about the slow pace of change. It was about the lack of bold action—the kind of industry-scale solutions that could not just slow climate damage, but reverse it. That question kept ringing in Adam’s mind:
If I had infinite resources, what would I build to solve climate change?
From Forests to the Ocean
At first, Adam’s mind went to land-based solutions. He began researching optimal reforestation strategies—what combinations of trees, shrubs, and plants would be most effective. He spoke with botanists, landscape architects, and forestry experts.
Then, on a call with a colleague, someone posed a game-changing question:“If your goal is carbon removal, maybe you should be looking into seaweed.”
That simple suggestion flipped the script.
Why Seaweed?
Seaweed, Adam discovered, absorbs carbon up to 20 times faster than terrestrial forests of the same size. It grows in the ocean, making it less vulnerable to deforestation. And because the ocean covers 71% of our planet, seaweed farming offers a scalable, long-term climate solution that doesn’t require competing for land, water, or food resources.
Adam joined a climate fellowship and led a 14-person capstone team to explore the feasibility of large-scale seaweed infrastructure. The team consulted oceanic lawyers, bamboo engineers, seaweed farmers, financial strategists, and climate scientists—designing a business model to make seaweed farming both practical and impactful.
The Birth of Fiora Mara
From this research, Fiora Mara was born—a venture dedicated to ocean-based carbon removal through innovative seaweed farming. Adam and his collaborators are designing solutions that not only sequester carbon but also strengthen marine ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and create new economic opportunities for coastal communities.
“If Fiora Mara succeeds,” Adam says, “we’ll live in a world where carbon removal is no longer a desperate scramble—it’s a quiet, reliable part of a broader climate strategy.”
In Adam’s vision, climate action will no longer be seen as heroic, but habitual. And in that world, every species—not just ours—will get a fair shot at survival.
Learn More & Get Inspired
If you want to explore the science and strategy behind seaweed farming and other climate solutions, Adam recommends these resources:
Project Drawdown – A comprehensive overview of strategies being used to fight climate change.
Climate TRACE – Data-driven climate insights without the spin.
Climate Solutions News – Positive reporting on climate progress and innovation.
Greenwave – A leader in supporting seaweed farming and coastal restoration.
Global Seaweed Coalition – Advocating for a sustainable global seaweed industry.
How to Save a Planet – A podcast with two excellent episodes on kelp farming.
A Matter of Degrees – Hosted by climate experts, including one with deep experience in ocean-based solutions.
We’re thrilled to support Adam and Fiora Mara with a $1,000 grant from 1000 Gretas, helping fuel the next phase of this important work. Bold ideas like these are what will turn the tide—literally and figuratively—in the fight against climate change.
