Around 2010, global kelp forest loss accelerated due to marine heatwaves, urchin population outbreaks, and climate stressors, destroying vital ecosystems. Kelp forests support biodiversity and carbon sequestration. This trend raises alarms for ocean health and coastal resilience.

The acceleration of global kelp forest loss in 2010 has evoked poignant imagery in oceanic poetry, with poets like Ocean Vuong exploring themes of disappearance and loss. Their works often highlight the beauty of underwater forests and the urgent need for conservation efforts.