When you think of climate change, it seems like a daunting mission to devise a solution for this gigantic global problem. You have to be audacious enough to count yourself among the global change-makers who might just be key figures in crafting this solution. When I spoke with Nicholas Kee, I knew he wasn’t just a regular founder but someone who is part of the generation that dares to act rather than sit still.
Kee founded Kee Farms in 2020 as a for-profit company focusing on carbon removal, ocean habitat restoration, and the cultivation of seaweed and oysters. However, following its acquisition in early 2024, Kee pivoted to establish Kee Farms Foundation, a nonprofit organization, to carry forward the charitable side of Kee Farms’ mission. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Brooklyn, NY, Kee Farms Foundation now leads initiatives that address climate change through regenerative ocean and land agriculture, public education, and advocacy for environmental justice.
Kee Farms Foundation is part of the blue economy movement, harnessing the ocean’s potential for economic and environmental impact. Kee believes deeply in seaweed farming’s potential to transform lives and ecosystems. The Foundation’s mission is to restore ocean biodiversity while empowering local communities through sustainable practices. By transferring Kee Farms into a nonprofit structure, Kee has expanded the focus on equitable climate solutions and community engagement, aiming to uplift vulnerable fisherfolk across the Caribbean and beyond.
Without delving into the complexities of the science, I tried to understand Kee’s mission from the perspective of a regular person who is aware of the consequences we face daily due to climate change—hurricanes, intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and declining biodiversity.
Kee explained that, on a basic level, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. However, since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Inevitably, we humans are affected—our health, ability to grow food, housing, safety, and work.
The solution Kee is proposing through Kee Farms Foundation is to understand the “blue economy” as a vital solution to this issue. He insists that there must be an increasing focus on the blue economy, which, he says, “promotes sustainable use of ocean resources and provides a favorable backdrop for Kee Farms’ work. We actively champion the blue economy in the Caribbean, emphasizing its potential for both economic development and environmental conservation. This positions Kee Farms as a frontrunner in an emerging sector with significant growth potential.”
I asked Kee why Jamaica, and what are the specific activities involved on his farm. He explained that in the Caribbean, fishing communities are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and overfishing. Kee Farm Foundation’s commitment to community-driven solutions aligns with the growing recognition of the crucial role local communities play in climate action. By partnering with Jamaican fisherfolk, the Foundation provides training and alternative livelihoods, fostering a sense of ownership and sustainability. With partnerships established at five Jamaican fish sanctuaries, Kee Farms Foundation has trained 50 local fisherfolk as ambassadors for ocean farm development. This number is set to grow, with Kee aiming to train over 1,000 fisherfolk by 2030, building a community of empowered, economically resilient seaweed farmers.
On the specific farming activities, Kee said, “The Foundation leverages the growing interest in seaweed for its diverse applications. Seaweed is increasingly recognized as a potential source of food, fertilizer, biofuel, and even a means for carbon sequestration.” He showed me a sample of Eucheuma—a species of seaweed known to be low in calories and high in dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium and potassium. It looked crunchy, and I wondered what it would taste like. Are people ready for this food solution? As if reading my mind, he stated that this is actually a delicacy in parts of Asia, but many Westerners are just catching up.
“We even have a patent pending for activated carbon derived from seaweed.”
“This, you see, aligns perfectly with Kee Farms Foundation’s focus on seaweed cultivation and its exploration of byproducts like agar, cardboard, and biochar,” he said. “We even have a patent pending for activated carbon derived from seaweed.” Kee Farms Foundation is also working on converting sargassum seaweed into sustainable biochar, activated carbon, and biodegradable cardboard. Activated carbon alone is projected to be a $8.9 billion market by 2026, and the Foundation is well-positioned to tap into this demand.
However, Kee also highlighted the scientific debate surrounding seaweed’s effectiveness in mitigating CO₂ emissions. While some see it as a promising solution, others caution that its impact can be complex and potentially even detrimental if not carefully managed. This emphasizes the need for ongoing research and optimization, a factor Kee acknowledges in their pursuit of carbon credits.
So, I asked Kee what exactly it is about Kee Farms Foundation’s solution that can potentially save mankind. He pointed out some notable facts: the food industry is a major contributor to climate change, responsible for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This figure encompasses emissions from various aspects of food production, including farming practices, land use, and waste generation.
“While the ocean covers about 70% of Earth’s surface, only 2% of the world’s food supply is currently derived from it,” Kee emphasized. This statistic highlights a vast, untapped potential for sustainable food production in marine environments, which could alleviate some of the pressures on land-based agriculture. Traditional land-based agriculture has led to ecosystem degradation, soil depletion, and high resource consumption. Additionally, it has largely been dominated by industrial practices focused on maximizing yields, often at the expense of environmental sustainability.
Kee passionately addressed these underlying issues around climate change, proposing that “regenerative ocean farming is the solution.” He explained that this practice is designed to restore ocean ecosystems while producing food. Kee Farms Foundation focuses on farming seaweed, which helps to capture carbon and other nutrients, supporting both environmental health and food production.
“Simply put, seaweed has significant potential in the fight against climate change due to its natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide and nitrogen from seawater,” he said. “Kelp can sequester up to 20 times more carbon per acre than trees on land, making it one of the most effective carbon sinks in the natural world.” By 2030, Kee Farms Foundation has set ambitious targets to sequester 1.8 million tonnes of carbon and regenerate biodiversity by 15% in farm locations, a powerful testament to the environmental impact of their work.
Born and raised in Jamaica, Kee has seen firsthand the impact of climate change—from swimming in the beautiful blue oceans just a walking distance from his house to witnessing the devastation caused by natural disasters like flooding. The escalating climate crisis, coupled with a growing sense of urgency to address its disproportionate effects on vulnerable communities, prompted Kee to act.
He recognized the limitations of a purely defensive approach to climate change, where developing nations often relied on negotiations with developed countries for funding to protect themselves. Recognizing the vast, untapped potential of the Caribbean Sea, Kee envisioned a more proactive, solutions-oriented approach—one where communities could actively participate in shaping a sustainable future by turning his attention to the blue economy, particularly seaweed farming. He saw this opportunity not only to address climate change but also to create economic opportunities for local communities and establish Jamaica as a leader in sustainable ocean farming.
As overfishing and environmental degradation have made traditional livelihoods increasingly precarious—it is no longer economically viable for local fishermen to sustain their careers—they are being pushed out of their livelihoods. “The question is, are we going to sit still and watch or take action?” Kee said. By training these fishermen to become seaweed farmers, Kee Farms offers an alternative that is both sustainable and economically viable.
Kee Farms operates using two primary methods: nearshore farming and raceway systems. The nearshore farms consist of underwater lines—imagine clotheslines swaying beneath the waves—where seaweed seedlings are attached and left to grow in the natural currents. “It’s low-impact and blends seamlessly with the environment,” Kee explained.
The raceway systems, on the other hand, are land-based operations. Long, narrow tanks filled with seawater mimic the ocean’s conditions but allow for greater control over temperature, nutrients, and growth rates. “It’s like giving the seaweed a five-star hotel,” he joked.
He considers himself part of the act-now generation. In January 2024, Vanity Fair named him among 17 youth leaders “working tirelessly to create a better future for all,” with particular emphasis placed on the work he has done to advance Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), which charges us to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
Here is a quote from Vanity Fair:
Thriving life below water is crucial for life to thrive above water, and SDG 14 outlines the importance of conserving and protecting our oceans. Nicholas Kee, co-founder and CEO of Kee Farms, knows this fight well. He observed the challenges faced by fishermen in Jamaica, including failing fish stocks, which force many to pursue alternative forms of income or even turn to crime. He became committed to ocean regeneration and restoration: his work involves cultivating seaweed and oysters (and, soon, sea cucumbers and seagrass), while also preserving mangroves, leading to carbon sequestration, reduced ocean acidification and increased biodiversity. He has collaborated with more than 30 people whose livelihoods depend on fishing, retiring nearly three tonnes of carbon and generating job opportunities for more than 50 community members. His influence extends to policy advocacy, contributing to the growth of the blue economy in Jamaica.
Not long before that, Kee was nominated for the Earthshot Prize and, last year, won the World Bank Youth Summit Award in 2023. So far, he has secured over $500,000 in funding from various organizations to propel Kee Farms Foundation forward, even as they encounter regulatory challenges and funding hurdles.
Unfortunately, his endeavor is not without its challenges. Jamaica’s regulatory framework lacks specific guidelines for seaweed farming, placing Kee Farms Foundation in uncharted waters—both literally and figuratively. “We’re pioneers, which is exciting but also daunting,” Kee admitted. “We have to work closely with the government to develop policies that support sustainable practices without stifling innovation.” Kee Farms Foundation has been advocating alongside organizations like UNICEF and the UNDP to create policy frameworks that enable local fisherfolk to establish ocean farms with the appropriate licenses and even acquire insurance for their operations. The policy work is foundational to building a scalable model that can be adopted across the Caribbean and potentially in other regions affected by climate change.
Funding is another hurdle. Climate finance in the Global South is notoriously complex, often tangled in bureaucracy and competing interests. Undeterred, Kee has become a vocal advocate on the international stage, attending conferences like COP28, the Bill and Melinda Gates Goalkeepers Awards, Aspen Ideas, and more to raise awareness and attract investment. “It’s about making connections with people who share our vision,” he said. “We need partners who understand that this is about more than profit—it’s about survival.” Kee Farms Foundation has also been working on innovative financing models, including blue-green bonds and partnerships to create new investment pathways for sustainable blue economy projects in the Caribbean.
As demand for sustainable products grows, Kee Farms Foundation is poised to scale up its operations. The organization is forging direct relationships with companies in the food, cosmetics, and bioplastics industries, both locally and internationally. “We’re building a brand that stands for quality and sustainability,” Kee explained. Expansion plans include increasing both nearshore and raceway farming capacities, all while maintaining their commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Kee Farms Foundation’s network of trained fisherfolk ambassadors will play a key role, expanding as the Foundation aims to support 4,000 fisherfolk by 2030, each with sustainable income opportunities.
Part of this growth strategy involves creating a decentralized seaweed economy. By empowering individuals to cultivate and sell seaweed independently, Kee envisions a network of micro-entrepreneurs contributing to a larger, more resilient industry. “It’s like planting seeds across the country,” he mused. “Together, we can create a forest.”
Kee’s ambitions stretch beyond Jamaica. “Climate change doesn’t recognize borders, and neither should our solutions,” he said. Kee Farms Foundation hopes to extend operations into Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia within the next five years, using flexible models tailored to each region’s unique ecosystem. Kee is also in talks with funding partners in the United States and Europe to support its mission.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Kee reflected on the journey so far. “It’s been challenging, no doubt,” he said. “But when I see the smiles on the faces of the people we’re working with when I see the ocean teeming with life—that’s when I know we’re on the right path.”
As Kee puts it, “We’re not just farming seaweed—we’re cultivating hope for mankind!”
This post was originally published on here
