Question

Read the passage below carefully and answer the question that follows.

In recent years, global environmental policy has increasingly focused on 'blue carbon'—the carbon captured and sequestered by coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. Across the Niger Delta, vast stretches of mangrove forests, historically degraded by crude oil spills, urban encroachment, and unsustainable wood harvesting, are now being evaluated for large-scale carbon offset initiatives. Proponents argue that integrating these wetlands into international carbon markets offers a dual solution: it generates sustainable revenue streams for impoverished coastal communities while simultaneously enhancing climate resilience through natural flood barriers and biodiversity conservation.

However, environmental economists and local activists caution against viewing carbon monetization as a panacea. A primary concern is that market-driven conservation often prioritizes quantifiable carbon storage metrics over complex ecological functions and local land tenure rights. When external carbon developers secure long-term concessions, indigenous fishing communities risk being disenfranchised from their traditional waters under the guise of ecological protection. Furthermore, the financial volatility of global carbon credits threatens to undermine long-term conservation projects if credit prices collapse. Thus, while blue carbon frameworks present a promising instrument for funding ecological recovery, their success ultimately hinges on establishing inclusive governance structures that safeguard community sovereignty and prioritize holistic ecosystem health over speculative market returns.

Which of the following best summarizes the central argument of the passage?