Deep-Sea Mining on Hold? Major Countries Demand Caution as Seabed Biodiversity is at Stake
Thirty-three states advocate for a "cautious halt" in deep-sea mining activities.
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A chorus of 30-plus nations from Europe, America, and the Pacific are urging for a pause on deep-sea mining activities, citing environmental concerns at the UN Ocean Conference. In a joint statement, France expressed their conviction that the seabed, teeming with a diverse and largely unexplored wildlife, requires protection. Joining France in this call is Germany, one of the 33 signatory states, amongst others like Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, and Greece.
The mineral riches nestled beyond territorial waters belong to all humanity, the statement indicates. Mining in the high seas would breach international law, the signatories caution, referencing the United States, which recently approved exploration for nickel and cobalt in both national and international waters. The deep sea is home to exotic species not found elsewhere and plays a crucial role in CO2 storage and mitigating climate change. Potentially hazardous heavy metals may find their way into the food chain if mining goes ahead.
While France champions an outright ban on deep-sea mining, Germany supports a temporary moratorium. As the pressure to tap into the international deep-sea reserves escalates, the Germans insist on strict environmental safeguards to be negotiated as part of the forthcoming 'Mining Code.' Large corporations have long campaigned for the extraction of valuable minerals from the seabed. Copper, iron, and rare earths accumulate there as manganese nodules. So far, no international regulations govern their potential extraction.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
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This global clamor for caution extends to more than 30 countries, including the UK and France [1][2][5]. Some of these countries include Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Malta, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Palau, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Samoa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and more [5].
The call for caution arises due to several pressing concerns:
- Scientific Uncertainty: Our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems remains limited, making it difficult to predict the long-term, potentially irreversible impact of mining on marine biodiversity [1][2][4].
- Regulatory Gaps: Insufficient regulation and monitoring mechanisms for deep-sea mining activities raise concerns about their safety and sustainability [1][5].
- Environmental, Social, and Geopolitical Risks: The long-term environmental, social, and geopolitical implications of resource exploitation have yet to be fully addressed [1][4].
This international movement is echoed in forums such as the UN Ocean Conference, where leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron have advocated for an international moratorium on deep-sea mining to prioritize ocean protection [1].
- The community, comprising over 30 nations from various continents, including France, Germany, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and many others, is advocating for a policy pause on deep-sea mining to safeguard the environment at the UN Ocean Conference.
- As the debate over deep-sea mining intensifies, one of the key concerns is the potential impact of mining activities on environmental-science issues like biodiversity, climate-change, and CO2 storage.
- The ongoing discussion on deep-sea mining is not limited to environmental concerns but also encompasses policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news as it involves international law, geopolitical risks, and the extraction of valuable minerals like copper, iron, and rare earths.
