(C) Common Dreams This story was originally published by Common Dreams and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Deep seabed mining would destroy biodiversity — and we don’t need it [1] [] Date: 2023-09 This article originally appeared in The Circle: Arctic Biodiversity: Where is it heading?. The Circle shares perspectives from across the Arctic, and the views expressed here are not necessarily those of WWF. See all Circle issues here. Covering around half the Earth’s surface, the ocean’s deep seabed is an uncharted world teeming with life that exerts a major influence on the whole ocean ecosystem and on our climate. It’s also rich in metals and minerals—and as we slowly deplete mineral deposits on land, there is increasing pressure to look to the deep seabed. But JESSICA BATTLE of WWF–Sweden explains why deep seabed mining is an idea whose time should never come. TWO HUNDRED METRES or more beneath the ocean’s surface, the deep seabed is our planet’s final frontier. It is also vital for life as we know it. But a handful of private companies and a few states argue that mining this sensitive and important ecosystem for minerals is our best bet for providing the cobalt, lithium, nickel and other minerals that will be needed for a business-as-usual approach to the switch to green technologies, such as electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines. Proponents also suggest that by mining the deep seabed, we could avoid the negative environmental and social impacts of mining on land. This is simply not true. Lasting consequences The risks are great. Mining would have irreversible destructive impacts on deep sea ecosystems and biodiversity, which could have a knock-on effect on fisheries, livelihoods and food security and compromise ocean carbon, metal and nutrient cycles. Such mining plans also run counter to the transition we need to make to a circular economy, undercutting efforts to increase recycling and reduce the exploitation of finite resources. Economists also project far-reaching consequences for the industries and communities that depend on a healthy ocean if deep seabed mining goes ahead. The International Seabed Authority—the agency that, paradoxically, is responsible for licensing deep seabed mining operations while also protecting the ocean from its impact—has proven itself unfit for purpose. We need to change course immediately, before irreparable damage is done. What’s urgently needed is a global moratorium on all deep seabed mining activities. Ultimately, moving to a low-carbon future will require major structural changes in our economy and in our lifestyles—not a rush to exploit more finite resources. Advocating for a moratorium Fortunately, the voices speaking out against a move to mine the deep are growing in volume and number. Calls for a moratorium are increasing, with local and international NGOs, community leaders, scientists, governments, businesses and fishers’ organizations leading the way. WWF is proud to take this stand for our ocean, alongside a global coalition of individuals, businesses and governments. Businesses such as Google, Volvo Group, BMW, VW Group, Scania and Patagonia are all calling for a moratorium and have committed not to source minerals from the deep sea. Investors are beginning to see that this industry is not a sustainable or responsible investment proposition. Growing demand for metals and minerals doesn’t have to cost the Earth. Alternative solutions already exist: a combination of innovation, recycling and repair can satisfy industries’ needs for raw materials without opening the seafloor to mining. The journey toward a more sustainable future begins with a simple decision: no deep seabed mining. It is now a question of what reaches the ocean floor first: protection in the form of a global moratorium, or the mining bulldozers. WWF is working across sectors to propose the following solutions to avoid deep seabed mining: Businesses can source the materials they need through more conventional, less destructive means of extraction and invest in innovation, recycling and repairability. Consumers can recycle their old phones, reduce consumption and investigate where their materials come from. Governments can support a global moratorium on deep seabed mining and invest in the circular economy. *** JESSICA BATTLE is an expert in global ocean governance and policy with 20 years’ experience. She leads WWF’s global No Deep Seabed Mining Initiative. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.arcticwwf.org/the-circle/stories/deep-seabed-mining-would-destroy-biodiversity-and-we-dont-need-it/ Published and (C) by Common Dreams Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0.. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/commondreams/