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Soft creatures from the deep could be impacted by deep sea mining. Norway will speed up the hunt for valuable metals that are in excessive demand for inexperienced applied sciences.
Deep sea mining is catastrophic for sea creatures, crops and their surrounding ecosystems. Knowing this Norway has nonetheless determined to go forward with the business observe. Swiss-based WWF has determined to sue the Government of Norway by way of its Norway-based NGO WWF-Norway.
“We consider the federal government is violating Norwegian legislation by now opening up for a brand new and probably harmful business with out adequately assessing the results. It will set a harmful precedent if we permit the federal government to disregard its personal guidelines, override all environmental recommendation, and handle our frequent pure sources blindly,” says WWF-Norway CEO Karoline Andaur.
The authorities was given a two-week deadline to reply to the discover of the lawsuit when it was first launched in April, however did not reply. “We hoped the discover of a lawsuit would immediate the federal government to rethink and withdraw its controversial choice. Unfortunately, WWF-Norway sees no different choices however to proceed with authorized motion,” says Andaur.
No authorized foundation for opening choice
WWF-Norway believes that the strategic affect evaluation by the Ministry of Energy, which underpins the federal government’s choice, fails to satisfy the minimal necessities of the Subsea Minerals Act 2-2. Consequently, there isn’t a authorized foundation for the choice to open these areas for mining exercise. This concern was additionally highlighted by the federal government skilled physique, the Norwegian Environment Agency, in its public session response.
Significant worldwide opposition
Norway is among the many first international locations to open areas for seabed mining, regardless of warnings from nationwide and worldwide specialists, in addition to vital criticism from the EU and world analysis communities. A Canadian firm can be attempting to kickstart deep sea mining.
“While different international locations go for a moratorium to collect enough information in regards to the deep sea environments to evaluate the results of mining and make sure the efficient safety of the marine setting, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate has already invited business proposals for extraction licenses. This strategy is each conceited and cynical, damaging Norway’s fame as a accountable ocean steward,” says Andaur.
Green Prophet’s editor, biologist and environmental activist Karin Kloosterman says that “Norway of all individuals ought to have reverence for the life-sustaining seas round us. Deep sea mining for the extraction of minerals similar to lithium for electrical vehicles and batteries ruins the setting, as an alternative of serving to it.”
Norway’s trendy manufacturing and welfare system depend on a monetary reserve produced by exploitation of pure sources, notably North Sea oil.
In January 2024, Norway accredited business deep-sea mining following a examine commissioned by the federal government concluding it will have minimal affect, reported Reuters. “We consider {that a} thorough course of has been carried out with broad involvement, and that the relevant necessities have been adopted.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a Swiss-based worldwide non-governmental group based in 1961 that works within the subject of wilderness preservation and the discount of human affect on the setting. It is at present based mostly in Gland, within the canton of Vaud.
The founders had been a various group of passionate environmentalists, together with Sir Julian Huxley, Max Nicholson, Peter Scott, and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. They aimed to deal with the rising threats to wildlife and the setting, emphasizing the necessity for world conservation efforts.
WWF’s institution in Switzerland is traditionally vital. Switzerland’s fame for neutrality and stability offered a great base for a world group.
Kon-Tiki expedition The Kon-Tiki expedition was a 1947 journey by raft throughout the Pacific Ocean from South America to the Polynesian islands, led by Norwegian explorer and author Thor Heyerdahl. The raft was named Kon-Tiki after the Inca god Viracocha, for whom “Kon-Tiki” was mentioned to be an outdated title.
Norway’s connection to WWF can be noteworthy. Norwegian environmentalist Thor Heyerdahl, recognized for his Kon-Tiki expedition, was among the many early supporters of WWF. Norway has been lively in WWF’s efforts, notably in marine conservation and sustainable growth, which is ironic given its present transfer to mine the ocean.
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