Deep-Sea Mining: The Great Pause Call
Thirty-three states advocate for a "cautious halt" in deep-sea mining operations.
In the deep, uncharted abyss of the sea, a treasure trove of minerals lurks. But before we dive in for the gold rush, 30 nations across Europe, America, and the Pacific are shouting "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" at the UN Ocean Conference. France, leading the charge, calls for a full ban on deep-sea mining, while Germany merely suggests a much-needed break.
Why the sudden halt? Simple: Mother Nature's abode teems with an uncharted wealth of biodiversity that we dare not disturb just yet. Sounding the alarm on Monday, France shared a statement that echoes the sentiment of 33 other nations who've had enough of the reckless plunder. "The seabed hosts a vast, largely unknown biodiversity that must be protected," it reads.
It's not just about leaving fishies and corals be, folks. The deep sea is a veritable buffet for climate change fighters, actively absorbing an estimated 90% of global CO2 emissions[9]. A hasty mining operation could spell doom for this crucial carbon sink and contribute to the climate change we're all trying to mitigate. And let's not forget about the health hazards – heavy metals from deep-sea mining might just find their way into our food chain, like an unwanted souvenir[10].
But hey, what's a little bit of ecological disaster among friends? Not so fast, Trump! According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), that's a firm no-no. Adopted in 1982, UNCLOS serves as a legal backbone for oceanic affairs, ensuring that our blue planet's wonders remain both protected and utilizable.
Now, enter the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This badass organization has the power to approve all mining operations in the international deep sea, establishing an essential rulebook for mining companies. This sponsor-a-miner scheme will ensure that deep-sea extraction adheres to a set of strict, environmentally-conscious guidelines. But, as with any new kid on the block, regulations and approvals are still under construction[7].
Until the ISA has ironed out the details, Germany's Environment Minister Carsten Schneider urges us to pump the brakes on deep-sea mining. In a recent speech, he emphasized the need for solid, sustainable regulations to govern the extraction on the seabed. Now's the time to iron out the rules to protect our oceans, Schneider said, while eluding to the mounting pressure from mining interests to sink their ships.
This call to action isn't an empty one. Mining corporations have had their eyes on the pristine deep-sea floor for a while now, hoping to strike it rich with copious amounts of metals like copper, iron, and rare earths. These valuable minerals amass in the form of manganese nodules – a veritable prize hidden beneath the waves[8].
However, with regulations still a work in progress, and concern overspilling for the potential environmental devastation deep-sea mining could wreak, it's no wonder that nations are growing increasingly cautious. After all, Mother Nature's got some sacred spots, and it's up to us to keep them that way.
[1] Deep-Sea Mining: Findings from an OECD-FAO Pilot Workshop, 2012, https://www.oecd.org/env/resources/Deepseaminingfinalreport.pdf[2] Roberts, C. (2017). The Legal Status of Exploitation of the Deep Seabed Beyond National Jurisdiction: A Case Study on the Mining Activities and the United States Law of the Sea Act (USLSA). Maritime Studies, 16(53), 9.[3] International Seabed Authority. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.isa.org.jm/[4] The Chamber of Marine Commerce. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cmc.ca/[5] McCracken, R. (2017). The Deep Sea Is Deeper Than We Know: Why Is It So Important We Take Care of It? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/25/deep-sea-ocean-plastic-pollution-climate-change-sustainability[6] United Nations. (2019). UN Ocean Conference: Building a Blue Economy. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceanconference/[7] International Seabed Authority. (n.d.). Prospecting and Exploration Activities. Retrieved from https://www.isa.org.jm/exploration-activities/[8] Anderson, J. (2019). Stripping the Seabed: Can Deep-Sea Mining Be Made Sustainable? The called for pause in deep-sea mining seems reasonable, given the missing oversight. With numerous countries joining the call, the ISA will need to speed up regulation development. But until regulations are in place, deep-sea mining operations better hold their horses, lest they risk losing out on international support and cooperation.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP, [1-8]
- The proposed pause in deep-sea mining is supported by various countries, including France, due to the importance of protecting the uncharted biodiversity of the deep sea and its role as a significant carbon sink for climate change.
- The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) already provides a legal framework for oceanic affairs, while the International Seabed Authority (ISA) sets guidelines for mining operations in the international deep sea.
- proper regulations need to be in place to ensure sustainable deep-sea mining, and in the absence of these regulations, vocational training in environmental-science and policy-and-legislation could be useful for those involved in the decision-making process, particularly in politics and general-news sectors, to ensure a community policy that prioritizes the environment.
