#Deep Sea Mining Moratorium

[meteorologistaustenlonek]

ProtectTheOceans #BeneathTheSurfaceLiesTheFuture "ICYMI: 🇲🇽 Mexico joins 23 countries in calling for a moratorium on #DeepSeaMining.

We must prioritize safeguarding the environment over hasty decisions and profit. The health of our ocean is at stake." - @PewEnvironment

[mariacallous]

A new report by environmental groups lays out a case for banning deep sea mining—and explains why the real solution to humanity’s energy crisis might just be sitting in the trash.

Deep sea mining is the pursuit of rare, valuable minerals that lie undisturbed upon the ocean floor—metals like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. These so-called critical minerals are instrumental in the manufacture of everything from electric vehicle batteries and MRI machines to laptops and disposable vape cartridges—including, crucially, much of what’s needed to transition away from fossil fuels. Political leaders and the companies eager to dredge up critical minerals from the seafloor tend to focus on the feel-good, climate-friendly uses of the minerals, like EV batteries and solar panels. They’ll proclaim that the metals on the deep seafloor are an abundant resource that could help usher in a new golden age of renewable energy technology.

But deep sea mining has also been roundly criticized by environmentalists and scientists, who caution that the practice (which has not yet kicked off in earnest) could create a uniquely terrible environmental travesty and annihilate one of the most remote and least understood ecosystems on the planet.

There has been a wave of backlash from environmentalists, scientists, and even comedians like John Oliver, who devoted a recent segment of Last Week Tonight to lambasting deep sea mining. Some companies that use these materials in their products—Volvo, Volkswagen, BMW, and Rivian among them—have come out against deep sea mining and pledged not to use any metals that come from those abyssal operations. (Some prominent companies have done the exact opposite; last week, Tesla shareholders voted against a moratorium on using minerals sourced from deep sea mining.)

Even if you can wave away that ecological threat, mining the sea might simply be wholly unnecessary if the goal is to bring about a new era of global renewable energy. A new report, aptly titled “We Don’t Need Deep-Sea Mining,” aims to lay out why.

The report is a collaboration between the advocacy group US PIRG, Environment America Policy Center, and the nonprofit think tank Frontier Group. Nathan Proctor, senior director of the Campaign for the Right to Repair at PIRG and one of the authors of the new report, says the solution to sourcing these materials should be blindingly obvious. There are critical minerals all around us that don’t require diving deep into the sea. You’re probably holding some right now—they’re in nearly all our devices, including the billions of pounds of them sitting in the dump.

The secret to saving the deep sea, Proctor says, is to prioritize systems that focus on the materials we already have—establishing right to repair laws, improving recycling capabilities, and rethinking how we use tech after the end of its useful life cycle. These are all systems we have in place now that don’t require tearing up new lands thousands of feet below the ocean.

“We don't need to mine the deep sea,” Proctor reiterates. “It's about the dumbest way to get these materials. There's way better ways to address the needs for those metals like cobalt, nickel, copper, and the rest.”

Into the Abyss

Schemes for delving into the deep ocean have been on the boards for years. While the practice is not currently underway, mining companies are getting ready to dive in as soon as they can.

In January 2024, the Norwegian Parliament opened up its waters to companies looking to mine resources. The Metals Company is a Canadian mining operation that has been at the forefront of attempts to mine in the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ)—an area of seabed that spans 3,100 miles between Mexico and Hawaii.

The proposed mining in the CCZ has gotten the most attention lately because the Metals Company secured rights to access key areas of the CCZ for mining in 2022, and its efforts are ramping up. The process involves gathering critical minerals from small rock-like formations called polymetallic nodules. Billions of these nodules rest along the seabed, seemingly sitting there ripe for the taking (if you can get down to them). The plan—one put forth by several mining companies, anyway—is to scrape the ocean floor with deep sea trawling systems and bring these nodules to the surface, where they can be broken down to extract the shiny special metals inside. Environmentalists say this poses a host of ecological problems for everything that lives in the vicinity.

Gerard Barron, the CEO of the Metals Company, contends that his efforts are misunderstood by activists and the media (especially, say, John Oliver).

“We're committed to circularity,” Barron says. “We have to drive towards circularity. We have to stop extracting from our planet. But the question is, how can you recycle what you don’t have?”

Both Barron and the authors of the activist report acknowledge that there aren’t perfect means of resource extraction anywhere—and there’s always going to be some environmental toll. Barron argues that it is better for this toll to play out in one of the most remote parts of the ocean.

“No matter what, you will be disrupting an ecosystem,” says Kelsey Lamp, ocean campaign director with the Environment America Research and Policy Center and an author of the report. “This is an ecosystem that evolved over millions of years without light, without human noise, and with incredibly clear water. If you disrupt it, the likelihood of it coming back is pretty low.”

For many of the life-forms down in the great deep, the nodules are the ecosystem. Removing the nodules from the seabed would remove all the life attached to them.

“This is a very disruptive process with ecosystems that may never recover,” says Tony Dutzik, associate director and senior policy analyst at the nonprofit think tank Frontier Group and another author of the report. “This is a great wilderness that is linked to the health of the ocean at large and that has wonders that we’re barely even beginning to recognize what they are.”

Barron counters that the life in the abyssal zone is less abundant than in an ecosystem like rainforests in Indonesia, where a great deal of nickel mines operate—although scientists discovered 5,000 new species in the CCZ in 2023 alone. He considers that the lesser of two evils.

“At the end of the day, it's not that easy,” You can't just say no to something. If you say no to this, you're saying yes to something else.”

The Circular Economy

Barron and others make the case that this ecosystem disruption is the only way to access the minerals needed to fuel the clean-tech revolution, and is therefore worth the cost in the long run. But Proctor and the others behind the report aren't convinced. They say that without fully investing in a circular economy that thinks more carefully about the resources we use, we will continue to burn through the minerals needed for renewable tech the same way we've burned through fossil fuels.

“I just had this initial reaction when I heard about deep sea mining,” Proctor says. “Like, ‘Oh, really? You want to strip mine the ocean floor to build electronic devices that manufacturers say we should all throw away?’”

While mining companies may wax poetic about using critical minerals for building clean tech, there's no guarantee that's where the minerals will actually wind up. They are also commonly used in much more consumer-facing devices, like phones, laptops, headphones, and those aforementioned disposable vape cartridges. Many of these devices are not designed to be long lasting, or repairable. In many cases, big companies like Apple and Microsoft have actively lobbied to make repairing their devices more difficult, all but guaranteeing more of them will end up in the landfill.

“I spend every day throwing my hands up in frustration by just how much disposable, unfixable, ridiculous electronics are being shoveled on people with active measures to prevent them from being able to reuse them,” Proctor says. “If these are really critical materials, why are they ending up in stuff that we're told is instantly trash?”

The report aims to position critical minerals in products and e-waste as an “abundant domestic resource.” The way to tap into that is to recommit to the old mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle—with a couple of additions. The report adds the concept of repairing and reimagining products to the list, calling them the five Rs. It calls for making active efforts to extend product lifetimes and invest in “second life” opportunities for tech like solar panels and battery recycling that have reached the end of their useful lifespan. (EV batteries used to be difficult to recycle, but more cutting-edge battery materials can often work just as well as new ones, if you recycle them right.)

Treasures in the Trash

The problem is thinking of these deep sea rocks in the same framework of fossil fuels. What may seem like an abundant resource now is going to feel much more finite later.

“There is a little bit of the irony, right, that we think it's easier to go out and mine and potentially destroy one of the most mysterious remote wildernesses left on this planet just to get more of the metals we're throwing in the trash every day,” Lamp says.

And in the trash is where the resources remain. Electronics manufacturing is growing five times faster than e-waste recycling, so without investment to disassemble those products for their critical bits, all the metals will go to waste. Like deep sea mining, the infrastructure needed to make this a worthwhile path forward will be tremendous, but committing to it means sourcing critical minerals from places nearby, and reducing some waste in the process.

Barron says he isn't convinced these efforts will be enough. “We need to do all of that,” Barron says, “You know, it's not one or the other. We have to do all of that, but what we have to do is slow down destroying those tropical rainforests.” He adds, “If you take a vote against ocean metals, it is a vote for something else. And that something else is what we’ve got right now.”

Proctor argues that commonsense measures, implemented broadly and forcefully across society to further the goal of creating a circular economy, including energy transition minerals, will ultimately reduce the need for all forms of extraction, including land and deep-sea mining.

“We built this system that knows how to do one thing, which is take stuff out of the earth, put it into products and sell them, and then plug our ears and forget that they exist,” Proctor says. “That’s not the reality we live in. The sooner that we can disentangle that kind of paradigm from the way we think about consumption and industrial policy the better, because we're going to kill everybody with that kind of thinking.”

Just like mining the deep sea, investing in a circular economy is not going to be an easy task. There is an allure of deep sea mining when it is presented as a one-stop shop for all the materials needed for the great energy transition. But as the authors of the report contend, the idea of exploiting a vast deposit of resources is the same relationship society has had with fossil fuels—they’re seemingly abundant resources ripe for the picking, but also they are ultimately finite.

“If we treat these things as disposable, as we have, we’re going to need to continually refill that bucket,” Dutzik says. “If we can build an economy in which we’re getting the most out of every bit of what we mine, reusing things when we can, and then recycling the material at the end of their lives, we can get off of that infinite extraction treadmill that we’ve been on for a really long time.”

[terrible-eel]

Stop deep sea mining before it starts

The deep sea is a treasure trove of biodiversity and home to untold wonders and possibilities. It is also one of our best allies against climate change. But a threat is coming: deep sea mining. The good news is we can stop this industry before it’s too late, but we don’t have much time.

Deep sea mining companies are pressuring governments to let them go down there, several thousand meters below the surface of the ocean, and plunder the seabed to extract metals. If this industry is allowed to start, gigantic machines weighing more than a blue whale will be lowered onto the ocean floor to plunder these pristine ocean ecosystems.

Imagine if we could go back in time and stop offshore drilling at the dawn of the oil age and prevent environmental and climate catastrophes. This is where we are at with deep sea mining. This is a once in a generation opportunity: to stop another extractive industry from damaging the global oceans the way the fossil fuel companies have done to the climate.

Governments need to take a strong stand against deep sea mining. They have to publicly call for this industry not to start and take action to protect the deep ocean. Join us by signing the petition.

The problem

Deep sea mining companies are seeking to start mining the seabed, carving up the global commons for corporate profit. Scientists warn that deep sea mining risks causing severe and potentially irreversible damage to the deep ocean and to the marine life that calls it home. Additionally, mining could adversely affect coastal communities and disrupt the natural processes that store carbon, making the climate emergency even worse.

The solution

The deep ocean is one of the world’s largest, most fragile, and most important ecosystems. Some governments have already voiced their concerns about deep sea mining. Others already called for a moratorium or a ban. We need to turn these words into action. We need governments to stop the launch of this destructive new extractive industry and put the deep sea off-limits to mining for good

To sign the petition, Go Here

Please check out this video. He really does sum things up.

[kp777]

By Jessica Corbett

Common Dreams

July 15, 2024

As talks resume, supporters of a moratorium are also calling for the ouster of the International Seabed Authority's leader, who faces an election on July 29.

As talks to establish global policies on deep-sea mining resumed in Jamaica on Monday, Greenpeace International renewed its demand for a moratorium on the practice, the path also backed other civil society and Indigenous groups, at least hundreds of science and policy experts, and 27 countries.

"The science is clear—there can't be deep-sea mining without environmental cost and the only solution is a moratorium. The more we know about deep-sea mining, the harder it is to justify it," said Greenpeace campaigner Louisa Casson, who is attending the United Nations-affiliated International Seabed Authority's (ISA) 29th session in Kingston.

"Governments at the ISA must not dance to the tune of the industry and approve rushed regulations for the benefit of a few over the interests of Pacific communities and the opinion of scientists," Casson argued, as companies and countries see chances to cash in on the clean energy transition by extracting metals including cobalt, copper, and nickel.

"The deep ocean sustains crucial processes that make the entire planet habitable, from driving ocean currents that regulate our weather to storing carbon and buffering our planet against the impacts of climate change."

The Associated Press reported Monday that although the ISA has not allowed any extraction during debates, it "has granted 31 mining exploration contracts," and "much of the ongoing exploration is centered in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, which covers 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometers) between Hawaii and Mexico."

The Mexican government last year endorsed a moratorium and Democratic Hawaii Gov. Josh Green last week signed a bill banning seabed mining in state waters, citing "environmental risks and constitutional rights to have a clean and healthy environment."

Ahead of the meeting in Jamaica, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition campaign lead Sofia Tsenikli highlighted that "gouging minerals from the seafloor poses an existential threat that goes far beyond the immediate destruction of deep-sea wildlife and habitats."

"The deep ocean sustains crucial processes that make the entire planet habitable, from driving ocean currents that regulate our weather to storing carbon and buffering our planet against the impacts of climate change," Tsenikli said. "States must now protect the ocean and not allow any more damage."

The ISA was established under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and a related 1994 agreement, and is responsible for waters not under the control of specific nations. As Common Dreamsreported earlier this month, some diplomats have accused British lawyer Michael Lodge, its current secretary-general, of trying to speed up the start of mining.

"The rush to complete the mining code was triggered by the Pacific island state of Nauru, which is expected to submit a mining license application on behalf of Canada's the Metals Company (TMC) later this year, regardless of whether or not regulations are complete," Reuters noted Monday.

After ISA's 36-member Council negotiates the "Mining Code" over the next two weeks, its full Assembly is scheduled to meet on July 29 to vote on the next secretary-general, with Lodge facing a challenge from Brazil's Leticia Carvalho for the top post.

"It is time for change at the ISA," Casson of Greenpeace declared Monday. "A third term for Michael Lodge would not only put the oceans under threat but also risk further damaging public trust in the regulator. Mining companies are impatient to get started and mounting evidence indicates that Lodge is overstepping his supposedly-neutral role to align with commercial interests."

"The ISA must listen to millions of people and the growing number of governments calling for a halt to deep-sea mining," she added. "It is time to put conservation at the heart of the ISA's work."

In preparation for the talks in Kingston, Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center, U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund, and Frontier Group last month released a report showing that not only would deep-sea mining destroy "a vibrant, biodiverse place, teeming with complex ecosystems and thousands, possibly millions of species," but also it isn't necessary.

"Disposable electronic devices are creating a toxic e-waste mess. Now, some mining companies are trying to convince policymakers that we need to wreak havoc on the ocean to source the materials to make more," said Charlie Fisher of the Oregon State PIRG Foundation. "This report shows that we don't need to ruin the deep sea to make the products we need. There is a more sustainable path: Make long-lasting, fixable electronics and recycle them when they no longer work."

[fruitshake]

Please sign this petition!

The deep ocean is one of the world’s largest, most fragile, and most important ecosystems. We need a global moratorium to stop the launch of this destructive new extractive industry

https://greenpeace.org/international/act/stop-deep-sea-mining

[tsmom1219]

Deep sea mining carries biodiversity and financial risks. Here’s what companies should know

Read the full story at Trellis. The impacts of mineral extraction on the ocean floor outweigh the benefits, according to recent studies. More than 30 countries and 55 major companies including BMW, Google and Patagonia are calling on the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to enact a moratorium on deep sea mining. That attention seems to be working. At an ISA Assembly gathering that ended in…

[vietnamstar]

'A different perspective': This top marine scientist is determined to resolve deep-sea mining's murky future

Environmental activists calling for an international moratorium on deep-sea mining. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Brazilian marine scientist Leticia Carvalho will be the first-ever woman, oceanographer and person of Latin American heritage to lead the International Seabed Authority — and she says it “feels fantastic.” “I am very proud,” Carvalho told CNBC via videoconference. “I think…

[xnewsinfo]

Consultant picture | Photograph credit score: Reuters The United Nations physique that regulates worldwide deepwater is getting ready to elect its subsequent chief, an important submit because it faces strain to ban, approve or impose a moratorium on deep-sea mining. The upcoming elections come because the Jamaica-based Worldwide Seabed Authority (ISA) ended a two-week session on July 26 with out reaching a consensus on a regulatory framework for deep-sea mining.The long-running debate has raised issues that the authority may obtain an software this 12 months for the primary deep-sea mining licence with none guidelines or rules in place. The Metals Firm, a Canadian-based mining firm, is anticipated to be the primary to use for such a licence.Mineral exploration is underway within the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, which spans 4.5 million sq. kilometers (1.7 million sq. miles) between Hawaii and Mexico. Exploration is happening at depths starting from 4,000 to six,000 meters (13,000 to 19,000 ft).Learn additionally:Defined | What's deep sea mining and what are the issues surrounding the business?Nevertheless, no mining licences have been issued. This might quickly change as some firms and nations are eager to mine the seabed to fulfill rising demand for treasured metals akin to cobalt, nickel and copper, that are utilized in inexperienced applied sciences. Scientists have warned that deep-sea minerals take tens of millions of years to kind and that mining them may unleash noise, gentle and suffocating mud storms.Greater than two dozen nations have referred to as for a ban, suspension or moratorium on deep-sea mining. Firms akin to BMW and Samsung SDI have additionally pledged to not use uncooked supplies from deep-sea mining. Nevertheless, proponents of deep-sea mining say it's cheaper and has a decrease affect than land-based mining.Olav Myklebust, chairman of the authority's board, advised reporters on Friday that there have been nonetheless excellent points relating to the proposed regulatory framework, together with inspection, compliance and enforcement and the way finest to find out funds associated to exploitation.He and Secretary-Basic Michael Lodge, who's searching for a 3rd time period, haven't stated whether or not exploitation ought to start regardless of the absence of guidelines and rules. “It's for the Council and member states to determine these points,” Lodge stated.Lodge is searching for to guide the Worldwide Seabed Authority for an additional 4 years, however faces a problem from Leticia Carvalho, a Brazilian oceanographer and former oil and gasoline regulator. Lodge has additionally confronted allegations of monetary irregularities inside the authority, which he has denied.The authority is scheduled to elect its subsequent chief on August 2.

[mamiwatafilm]

“Protecting vital sources of renewal - unscathed marshes, healthy reefs, and deep-sea gardens - will provide hope for the future of the Gulf, and for all of us”.

-Sylvia Earle.

Sign the petition and demand a moratorium on ocean mining now >>

#savetheocean #SaveThePlanet

[webstorify]

This week, the Norwegian Parliament took a groundbreaking yet contentious step by approving seabed mining exploration within the nation's territorial waters. This decision notably diverges from the recommendations of the country's own government scientists and is poised to escalate global debates about exploiting deep ocean ecosystems rich in biodiversity. On January 9, Norway distinguished itself as the inaugural nation to formally sanction seabed mining activities in its waters. This move could potentially spark an international scramble for strategic minerals like cobalt and nickel, crucial for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other sustainable technologies. The decision arrives amidst ongoing discussions and uncertainty surrounding a UN-affiliated body's efforts to establish regulations for seabed mining in international waters. Norway, as a prominent member of this organization, plays a critical role in these deliberations. The widespread call for a moratorium on seabed mining fuels the controversy even more. Researchers and governments from 24 countries across Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific have actually prompted a halt, mentioning that there is not enough information on the ecological and weather repercussions of such tasks. Martin Webeler, an ocean campaigner and researcher at the Environmental Justice Foundation in London, remarked on Norway’s decision. He highlighted its potential impact on the mining industry's narrative, suggesting that Norway’s move could be interpreted as a growing willingness among nations to entertain the prospects of deep-sea mining. This development in Norway stands at the intersection of environmental stewardship and the pursuit of technological advancements. It raises crucial questions about balancing the need for materials essential for green technologies with the imperative to protect our planet's delicate and less-explored ecosystems. Norway bold decisions? A number of factors influence Norway's decision to approve deep-sea mining in its territorial waters. Among the main factors is the nation's passion to safeguard minerals necessary for the global shift to eco-friendly industries. This includes minerals like cobalt, copper, zinc, and others crucial for producing batteries, electric cars and truck engines, wind generators, solar batteries, and power lines. The designated site for deep-sea mining holds terrific importance, covering an approximate 280,000 square kilometers of the Norwegian continental shelf, which is larger than the UK. There is a place in the Barents and Greenland Seas to the east of Jan Mayen Island and to the south of Svalbard. Norway is thought to have some of the most mineral-rich land in its economic area. Only Fiji is thought to have more. Another considerable element is Norway's long-standing experience in oil and gas expeditions in rough aquatic environments. The nation views deep-sea mining as a sensible expansion of its industrial abilities. Nonetheless, this decision has not been without dispute. Environmental researchers, lobbyists, and some political groups have raised significant concerns concerning the prospective eco-friendly effects of deep-sea mining. Despite these problems, the Norwegian federal government keeps saying that it is taking a cautious strategy, highlighting that ecological studies will certainly be a requirement for the issuance of mining licenses and that real mining tasks are not expected to start until the very early 2030s. On the whole, Norway's choice shows a balancing act between tapping into its abundant aquatic resources for industrial growth and resolving environmental issues and clinical unpredictability connected to deep-sea environments. What are the technological benefits? The technological benefits of Norway's deep-sea mining initiative include the development of advanced mining techniques adapted for underwater conditions. This involves creating platforms on the seabed that can drill shafts into the ocean floor, potentially allowing for more efficient extraction of minerals.

The technologies needed for deep-sea mining are still in early development, encompassing challenges like operating equipment from a ship in various weather conditions. Moreover, Norway's experience in offshore exploration provides a foundation for overcoming these challenges and developing more environmentally considerate mining methods​​. Norway's deep-sea mining initiative will face technical challenges. Developing Equipment for Harsh Conditions: The machinery must be operable from ships in varying weather conditions and under different sea states. High Costs of Offshore Operations: Operating far out at sea is expensive, especially when bad weather causes disruptions, leading to high operational costs even when mining activities are halted. Environmental Impact Assessment: There's a need to understand the ecological consequences of mining operations, including the effect of mining machines on seabed life and potential particle emissions. Technology Development: Many of the required technologies are still in their infancy. This includes developing closed systems to reduce particle and metal emissions into the water and transporting materials in a way that minimizes environmental impact. Balancing Profitability and Environmental Protection: Ensuring that mining is economically viable while also being environmentally responsible is a major challenge. When will work start, and how long will it take? The actual start date for Norway's deep-sea mining operations is not specified in the available information. However, it's noted that the Norwegian government plans to conduct further environmental studies before issuing licenses for mining. This indicates that the actual commencement of mining activities might not happen immediately and could be planned for the early 2030s. The duration of these operations will depend on various factors, including the extent of mineral deposits, technological advancements, and environmental assessments. The process is expected to evolve over several years as it progresses from exploration to actual extraction.

[swldx]

RNZ Pacific 1301 8 Nov 2023

7390Khz 1259 8 NOV 2023 - RNZ PACIFIC (NEW ZEALAND) in ENGLISH from RANGITAIKI. SINPO = 55344. English, s/on w/bellbird int. until pips and news @1300z anchored by Pino Phenoa. Sports. Palau calls for moratorium on deep sea mining during Pacific Islands Conference . Backyard fence antenna, Etón e1XM. 100kW, beamAz 35°, bearing 240°. Received at Plymouth, United States, 12912KM from transmitter at Rangitaiki. Local time: 0659.

[wolfnowl]

Pacific alliance adopts moratorium on deep-sea mining, halting resurgent PNG project

YaY!! 🌞

[tsmom1219]

The Hawaii seabed mining ban doesn’t spell the end of EV batteries

Read the full story from Trellis. On July 9, Hawaii banned all seabed mining for minerals within its waters to protect the local fishing industry, biodiversity and Native Hawaiian rights. The ban follows similar legislation in California, Washington and Oregon. Twenty-seven countries have so far called for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining. The increased production of electric vehicles…