Unless something shifts dramatically – and soon – humanity will overshoot global ambitions to hold temperature rise to 2°C this century.

In this special series, Future Forecast: Spotlight on the South-West, University of Melbourne journalism students take a deep dive into what this means on the ground – and in the ocean – for communities along Victoria’s south-west coast. This is part of an ongoing Citizen Regional Reporting Project, with future editions focusing on other parts of the state.

Today: Scientists believe seaweed may have powerful potential to hold back the effects of climate heating. Or will it become just another casualty of warming waters? Jess Malcolm investigates.

This article is a multimedia feature, and co-published with ABC Regional Radio (Ballarat).