Policy Forum Guyana joins call for urgent action to halt deep-sea mining and protect oceans

Jun 08, 2023 News

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Kaieteur News – With today being World Oceans Day 2023, Policy Forum Guyana, in collaboration with prominent regional and international bodies, is spearheading a collective effort to urge all Caribbean organisations to endorse a suspension on activities that promote deep-sea mining.

World Oceans Day is being observed today under the theme Planet Ocean: Tides are changing. The day is observed to remind everyone of the importance of oceans in the lives of human beings and raise awareness of the importance of the ocean and the need to protect it.

In a statement, the organisation noted that the suspension of deep sea-mining is a crucial step seeks to protect the oceans and marine ecosystems from potentially irreversible damage.  “On this World Oceans Day, we call upon governments, citizens, and industry leaders to join forces in safeguarding the future health of our oceans and preserving the delicate balance of our planet,” Policy Forum said.

It was disclosed that a joint Statement is being prepared by an alliance of esteemed organizations, including the Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council, the Jamaican Environmental Trust, Sustainable Ocean Alliance-Caribbean, and Greenpeace (USA). The statement will highlight the urgent need for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, and will be widely circulated in the coming days, rallying support and encouraging governments to take a stand for ocean health.

The organisation stressed that deep-sea mining poses a significant threat to oceans and the fragile ecosystems that reside within them.

“We must prioritise the protection of these ecosystems over the profit-driven interests of mining companies. Scientists have warned about the potentially irreversible damage that deep-sea mining can cause to critical ecosystems responsible for regulating climate change. While the extraction of minerals used in green technologies may appear enticing, we cannot overlook the potential consequences that outweigh short-term gains,” it was highlighted.

Policy Forum explained that the assumptions about future demands may no longer be accurate in the near future. For instance, they said, the battery technology industry is rapidly evolving and moving away from utilizing minerals found in the deep sea. Notably, they gave Tesla as an example that has already developed a battery that contains no nickel or cobalt (Lithium iron phosphate).

Given the limited data available on deep-sea ecosystems and species, the organisation said, conducting a thorough analysis of the potential damage caused by mining activities is challenging. However, they noted that it is imperative that people prioritize the preservation of biodiversity and nature over immediate economic benefits.

To this end, it was highlighted that the deep sea plays a vital role in mitigating climate change by storing substantial amounts of carbon, and any disruption to these processes could have far-reaching consequences.

Moreover, it was revealed that the existence and extensive powers of the International Seabed Authority which is based in Jamaica remain largely unknown to most governments and Caribbean citizens.

As such, the organisation said that it is crucial that they raise awareness about the International Seabed Authority and its authority to permit deep-sea mining activities. Additionally, it was also stated that it must be emphasize that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) not only allows for a moratorium on deep-sea mining but actually requires it.

According to the organisation, although the International Seabed Authority has yet to receive any applications for actual mining, the issuance of exploration licences and the imminent possibility of provisional licenses starting from July 2023 pose significant risks. It was explained that the lack of established and approved rules and regulations raises concerns about the potentially irreparable harm that could result from a rush to exploit the depths of our oceans.

“Over a dozen countries, including France, Germany, Chile, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic stand united on this issue and our aim is to have the majority of the ISA Council member countries join them. Leading global brands, such as Samsung, Google, Volvo, and BMW, have also joined the chorus of opposition against deep-sea mining. It is important to note that this list may not be exhaustive, as there may be other companies or brands that support the call for a ban, pause, or moratorium on deep-sea mining,” it was noted.

Policy Forum called upon the International Seabed Authority Council to reject any applications for provisional licences until a comprehensive regulatory framework is established. They said, only with adequate scientific information can we develop robust legislation to protect our oceans adding that there is a need to pause or moratorium in order to gather more information and ensure the implementation of effective regulations.

They said too that prompt action is vital, as the long-term consequences of deep-sea mining are simply too significant to overlook.

Policy Forum said too, “On this World Oceans Day, we implore the International Seabed Authority and its member states to prioritize the protection of our oceans and the preservation of biodiversity. Let us not sacrifice the health of our planet and its delicate ecosystems for short-term economic gains. It is time to halt deep-sea mining and explore sustainable alternatives that do not compromise the well-being of our environment and future generations.”

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• Caribbean, deep-sea mining, International Seabed Authority, Oceans, protect

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