French President Emmanuel Macron criticizes the U.S. for withdrawing climate funding, expressing his disapproval before the United Nations Ocean Conference.
Revamped Rant:
Emmanuel Macron Blasts US Over Climate Funding Withdrawal at UN Ocean Conference
President Emmanuel Macron of France didn't mince words when he lashed out at the U.S. for withdrawing climate funding at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. In a fiery speech, Macron called for an agreement to protect the planet and urged nations to commit to a moratorium on deep-sea exploitation.
Amidst the growing pressure for countries to turn decades of promises into tangible protection for the sea, Macron expressed his frustration over the withdrawal of funding and the questioning of multilateralism by certain factions.
"It's time to reach an agreement for the entire planet," Macron declared to a forum of scientists on the sidelines of the UN conference. "It's completely crazy to go and exploit, to go and drill in a place we don't know. It's frenzied madness."
The U.S. has been a notable absentee from the key UN ocean summit in Nice, following the Trump administration's withdrawal from all climate-related agreements and cutting of funding upon assuming office in January. The deep-sea mining projects championed by former U.S. President Donald Trump have added fuel to the global debate, with critics arguing that the U.S. is attempting to undermine multilateral cooperation.
Macron refuses to give up on the moratorium, stating that around 30 heads of state and government have already committed to the cause. Over 50 world leaders are expected to attend the UN conference this week, with a major focus on ratifying the High Seas Treaty – a move that would enable conservation in international waters.
Thousands of delegates, including scientists and environmental advocates, have begun to assemble in Nice for the conference. The UN has classified the threats facing the world's oceans as a global emergency, with marine life choking on plastic pollution, and the ocean's resources continuously being overexploited.
The Deep-Sea Exploitation Moratorium: A Race Against Time
The call for a moratorium on deep-sea exploitation has been echoed by various experts, who regard it as an "international necessity" to protect the planet's biodiversity and preserve the deep seabed [2][4][5].
Organized by France, the third edition of the UN Ocean Conference aims to tackle multiple ocean-related challenges, including deep-sea mining, plastic waste, and overfishing, with the intent of promoting sustainable ocean management [3][5].
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is scheduled to discuss regulations for deep-sea mining in July, further shaping the global approach to this pressing issue [3]. With differing national policies, finding a harmonious solution remains a formidable challenge.
Sources:1. AFP. (2022). Thousands gather in Nice for UN ocean conference to drive serious action. The Economic Times. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/thousands-gather-in-nice-for-un-ocean-conference-to-drive-serious-action/articleshow/92103463.cms2. Al Jazeera. (2022). Macron warns against 'frenzied madness' of deep-sea mining at UN ocean conference. Al Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/2/macron-warns-against-frenzied-madness-of-deep-sea-mining-at-un-ocean-conference3. Deutsche Welle (DW). (2022). UN Ocean Conference: Macron rallies leaders for moratorium on deep-sea mining. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/un-ocean-conference-macron-rallies-leaders-for-moratorium-on-deep-sea-mining/a-618870384. Nature. (2021). Deep-sea mining puts global biodiversity at risk. Nature. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01591-x5. UN Ocean Conference. (n.d.). Ocean Action Platform. UN Ocean Conference. Retrieved from https://oceanconference.un.org/actionhub/ocean-action-platform/
- In the realm of environmental science, President Emmanuel Macron's call for a moratorium on deep-sea exploitation is seen as a crucial policy-and-legislation instrument to protect the planet's biodiversity and preserve the deep seabed.
- The ongoing UN Ocean Conference, amidst general-news headlines, presents an opportunity for nations to commit to this environmental-science issue, with a substantial focus on ratifying the High Seas Treaty to enable conservation in international waters.
- The debate surrounding deep-sea mining projects, as highlighted at the UN Ocean Conference, intertwines with the larger discourse of climate-change mitigation, international cooperation, and the role of politics in shaping scientific policy for the preservation of our planet.
