The article by Pendleton et al. (2012) provides the first global estimates of carbon emissions from the conversion and degradation of vegetated coastal ecosystems, such as tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds. These ecosystems, collectively known as "blue carbon" habitats, store significant amounts of carbon in sediments, which can be released to the atmosphere when these ecosystems are converted or degraded. The study combines data on global area, land-use conversion rates, and near-surface carbon stocks to estimate that 0.15–1.02 Pg (billion tons) of CO₂ are released annually, equivalent to 3–19% of global deforestation emissions and resulting in economic damages of US $6–42 billion annually. The largest uncertainties in these estimates stem from limited certainty in global area and land-use conversion rates, as well as the fate of ecosystem carbon upon conversion. The authors suggest that policies encouraging sustainable management of coastal ecosystems could significantly reduce carbon emissions from the land-use sector, in addition to preserving the ecosystem services provided by these habitats.The article by Pendleton et al. (2012) provides the first global estimates of carbon emissions from the conversion and degradation of vegetated coastal ecosystems, such as tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds. These ecosystems, collectively known as "blue carbon" habitats, store significant amounts of carbon in sediments, which can be released to the atmosphere when these ecosystems are converted or degraded. The study combines data on global area, land-use conversion rates, and near-surface carbon stocks to estimate that 0.15–1.02 Pg (billion tons) of CO₂ are released annually, equivalent to 3–19% of global deforestation emissions and resulting in economic damages of US $6–42 billion annually. The largest uncertainties in these estimates stem from limited certainty in global area and land-use conversion rates, as well as the fate of ecosystem carbon upon conversion. The authors suggest that policies encouraging sustainable management of coastal ecosystems could significantly reduce carbon emissions from the land-use sector, in addition to preserving the ecosystem services provided by these habitats.