Blue Carbon Artist in Residence aims to strengthen links between city and sea

Plymouth - Britain's Ocean City - is to become home to the UK's first Blue Carbon Artist in Residence as it expands its efforts to engage local residents and visitors with the wonders of the marine environment.

Artist Rosie Sherwood will work with people and organisations across the city to create an immersive seagrass experience within the National Marine Aquarium.

Based on scientific and visual research carried out in the city, it will use light, visual arts and sound to showcase an underwater seagrass habitat similar to that found within the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

With satellite installations across the city, it will aim to raise awareness of seagrass' ability to store carbon from the environment and to highlight the role blue carbon plays in supporting climate and coastal resilience more widely.

The installations will also aim to spark a city-wide dialogue about the role of local biodiversity in climate change action, and encourage residents to take action to reduce their personal impact on the environment.

Launched in the wake of the COP26 conference in the UK, the Blue Carbon Artist in Residence programme is being led by the University of Plymouth, the Ocean Conservation Trust and Plymouth City Council.

Supported by funding from the Natural Environment Research Council, it will be developed over the next year however it is envisaged the installation will remain in place at the National Marine Aquarium until 2024.

The project builds on the city's status as one of the world's most forward-thinking centres for marine research, innovation, education and action.