deep sea mining

Court confirms Greenpeace right to peaceful protest as activists’ 200 hour long protest against deep sea mining in the Pacific continues

Spread the love

Amsterdam, The Netherlands —  A Dutch court has largely rejected a request by a deep seabed mining company to issue an injunction against protest by Greenpeace International, stating that it is “understandable” the organisation has resorted to direct action in the face of the “possibly very serious consequences” of the company’s plans.

Greenpeace International activists from the Rainbow Warrior attach a flag reading 'Stop Deep Sea Mining'' to a cable holding the prototype robot Patania II in April 2021. (Photo: Marten van Dijl/Greenpeace)
Greenpeace International activists from the Rainbow Warrior attach a flag reading ‘Stop Deep Sea Mining” to a cable holding the prototype robot Patania II in April 2021. (Photo: Marten van Dijl/Greenpeace)

In the case brought by NORI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Metals Company (TMC), the judgement states that Greenpeace International’s climbers who were occupying the vessel’s stern crane must disembark, but denies NORI’s request to keep Greenpeace activists from being within a 500 metre radius of MV COCO. The court decision comes after nearly 200 hours of peaceful protest by Greenpeace International activists against the MV COCO, which is collecting data for TMC as part of its drive to file the first-ever deep sea mining application next year.

“This is without question a massive setback for the deep sea mining industry. The Dutch court not only affirmed Greenpeace’s right to protest but also agreed that nodule mining is a highly controversial activity. The Metals Company has never been interested in scrutiny and they can’t stand that Greenpeace is watching and opposing them at every turn. Our activists are speaking the truth to destructive companies like TMC that are only out for their own profit, at huge cost to us all. We are determined to keep bringing this dangerous industry to public attention and will continue to disrupt its plans”, said Mads Christensen, Executive Director of Greenpeace International.

After five days of a non-stop kayak activity around the MV COCO, the vessel was safely climbed by five Greenpeace International activists on 25 November. Activists aboard the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise took turns occupying the vessel’s stern crane to peacefully draw attention to the demand that TMC stop its deep sea mining exploration activities and drop its destructive plans in one of the world’s last untouched ecosystems. NORI claims the protest has been costing it 1M Euros a day. 

The Dutch court denied NORI’s request for an injunction to keep Greenpeace activists from being within a 500 metre radius of COCO, a call that was repeated by the International Seabed Authority Secretary-General but which the judge described as ‘not an enforceable measure’. 

Greenpeace International climbers descended on 30 November, but the 200-hour ongoing peaceful protest continues.  

“The ISA Secretariat should learn from Greenpeace International activists as an example of a bold fight back against the destruction of this still unknown ecosystem. The power of the global movement against deep sea mining is growing, and is undimmed by corporate efforts and behind the scene’s agreements to limit protest. Brave action across the world by people standing up for what is right will stop deep sea mining”, said Greenpeace International Stop Deep Sea Mining campaigner Louisa Casson, aboard the Arctic Sunrise.

Greenpeace International activist Sofia Castellanos said: “We are standing up against the first ever deep sea mining application that TMC are trying to rush through against scientific warnings and political opposition of 24 countries calling for a moratorium. We will continue to protest every time TMC tries to push forward this dangerous industry, for the sake of our oceans and the rich and mysterious life of the deep sea.” 

Continue ReadingCourt confirms Greenpeace right to peaceful protest as activists’ 200 hour long protest against deep sea mining in the Pacific continues

Global Campaigners Call On Norway to Ditch Deep-Sea Mining Plan

Spread the love
Greenpeace International activists from the Rainbow Warrior attach a flag reading 'Stop Deep Sea Mining'' to a cable holding the prototype robot Patania II in April 2021. (Photo: Marten van Dijl/Greenpeace)
Greenpeace International activists from the Rainbow Warrior attach a flag reading ‘Stop Deep Sea Mining” to a cable holding the prototype robot Patania II in April 2021. (Photo: Marten van Dijl/Greenpeace)

Original article by JULIA CONLEY republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

“By embarking on mining in the deep sea without sufficient knowledge, we risk destroying unique nature, eradicating vulnerable species, and disrupting the world’s largest carbon sink,” said one advocate.

Calling on Norway to “live up to the responsibilities” it has as co-chair of an international panel on sustainable oceans, more than 30 climate and conservation organizations on Monday delivered a letter to nearly two dozen Norwegian embassies on all continents, intensifying global outcry over plans for deep-seabed mining in the Arctic.

The groups, including Greenpeace, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and the Blue Climate Initiative, called on officials to abandon plans to open 281,000 square kilometers—an area nearly the size of the United Kingdom—to deep-sea mining, saying the world currently lacks “the robust, comprehensive, and credible scientific knowledge to allow for reliable assessment of impacts of deep-sea minerals extraction, including impacts on the planet’s life-support systems and human rights.”

Therefore, they said, the plan violates Norway’s “ambition to act according to a knowledge-based and precautionary approach.”

“By embarking on mining in the deep sea without sufficient knowledge, we risk destroying unique nature, eradicating vulnerable species, and disrupting the world’s largest carbon sink,” said Sofia Tsenikli, global campaign lead for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. “At a time when humanity is racing against the clock to tackle both the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis, we should protect nature—not destroy it.”

“European countries like France, Germany and Spain have taken a precautionary position, advocating a precautionary pause, a moratorium or a ban on deep-sea mining.”

Mining companies have lobbied for deep-sea mining, claiming it is necessary to source cobalt and copper, but advocates have noted that the minerals are already found elsewhere on the planet and have warned that the mining process could disturb the habitat of thousands of marine species.

The advocates behind Monday’s letter, which was delivered on the day Norway’s parliament began its autumn session, noted that the country’s co-chair on the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy—Palau—is among a growing number of governments that have urged caution regarding deep-sea mining.

“European countries like France, Germany and Spain have taken a precautionary position, advocating a precautionary pause, a moratorium or a ban on deep-sea mining,” wrote the groups. “Scientists, Indigenous groups, fisheries and seafood organizations, civil society organizations, and major businesses including Storebrand, BMW, and Google are all calling for a stop to deep-sea mining. The European Investment Bank has excluded deep-sea mining from its investments as it is deemed ‘unacceptable in climate and environmental terms,’ and the European Parliament has called for a moratorium multiple times.”

The international coalition further called on Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to “step back from the brink of introducing this destructive industry and to support a global moratorium on deep sea mining.”

The letter was sent a week after Greenpeace activists confronted Støre and other Norwegian Labour Party politicians with a 45-foot long octopus model that displayed a banner reading, “Don’t destroy my home.”

Greenpeace campaigners in Denmark shared on social media that on Monday, the letter was delivered by an activist dressed as a jellyfish.

“Norway opening for deep-sea mining while chairing the international Ocean panel, and committing to 100% sustainable use of its waters, is hypocrisy and risks destroying both ecosystems in the vulnerable Arctic and Norway’s reputation internationally,” said Louisa Casson, senior campaigner for the group’s Stop Deep-Sea Mining campaign. “If Norway decides to proceed with their plans, they must give up their seat in the Ocean panel to a state that delivers on ocean protection.”

Original article by JULIA CONLEY republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Continue ReadingGlobal Campaigners Call On Norway to Ditch Deep-Sea Mining Plan

Greenpeace ad warns of deep-sea mining risk and calls on UK government to take action

Spread the love
Image of a whale tail.

https://www.thedrum.com/news/2023/06/26/greenpeace-ad-warns-deep-sea-mining-risk-and-calls-uk-government-take-action

Deep-sea mining is an emerging extractive industry that removes mineral deposits from the ocean’s seabed. If allowed, huge machines that could weigh more than a blue whale will be lowered to the ocean floor where they will strip, dredge or cut deposits from deep ocean ecosystems. It may have a devastating impact and more than 750 scientists have called for a halt to the industry before it starts.

Calling on the UK government to act, each ad reads: “Deforestation is a catastrophe. Deep-sea mining doesn’t have to be another. Our government can help stop it before it starts.”

Ariana Densham, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: “If allowed to start, deep-sea mining would be a catastrophe for our oceans and marine life. The UK government calls itself a leader on ocean protection and yet it’s refusing to back calls from hundreds of scientists as well as other governments around the world for a pause or moratorium.

…

https://www.thedrum.com/news/2023/06/26/greenpeace-ad-warns-deep-sea-mining-risk-and-calls-uk-government-take-action

Continue ReadingGreenpeace ad warns of deep-sea mining risk and calls on UK government to take action

Environment groups condemn Norway’s move to open its waters to deep sea mining

Spread the love

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/06/21/environment-groups-condemn-norways-move-to-open-its-waters-to-deep-sea-mining

Norway’s government signalled its intention to open up the country’s waters to deep sea mining, but environmental groups have slammed the move.

Environmental groups have condemned Norway’s proposal to open up parts of the country’s continental shelf for commercial deep sea mining.

The Norwegian government announced its intentions on Tuesday, although the move still has to be formally debated by parliament later this year.

…

https://twitter.com/Greenpeace/status/1671140938113241088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1671140938113241088%7Ctwgr%5E83f8a0bce576e3eccc852f4edc89ebe7ebf9fa19%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euronews.com%2Fgreen%2F2023%2F06%2F21%2Fenvironment-groups-condemn-norways-move-to-open-its-waters-to-deep-sea-mining

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/06/21/environment-groups-condemn-norways-move-to-open-its-waters-to-deep-sea-mining

Continue ReadingEnvironment groups condemn Norway’s move to open its waters to deep sea mining

May the 4th be with you: Darth Vader, Dr Evil and Thanos seek alliances at deep sea mining summit

Spread the love
Three of the world’s most infamous supervillains – Darth Vader, Dr Evil and Thanos attend the deep sea mining summit in central London. The terrible trio are excited by the prospect of meeting like-minded people who they felt would share their passion for large-scale destructive machinery and wiping out entire ecosystems. Deep sea mining would strip bare vast areas of the deep ocean floor – one of the last untouched ecosystems on earth, causing irreversible damage to marine life.

London, Star Wars Day, 2023 – Three of the world’s most infamous supervillains – Darth Vader, Dr Evil and Thanos – convened today at a deep sea mining summit in central London.

VIDEO HERE

The terrible trio were reportedly excited by the prospect of meeting like-minded people who they felt would share their passion for large-scale destructive machinery and wiping out entire ecosystems. Darth Vader had insisted the three attend the conference instead of ‘making a fuss’ over him for Star Wars Day. 

Known for his strong track record of destroying whole planets with his death star, Darth Vader said of the conference: “Light doesn’t penetrate the bottom of the ocean so it’s the perfect place for the dark side to operate.”

Dr. Evil flew in directly from his volcano-lair to tell conference goers that he felt the ocean could undoubtedly be exploited for personal gain “in excess of one million dollars”. He urged those in attendance to join him in his quest for global domination, promising riches and power beyond their wildest dreams.

Thanos was quieter, possibly a little overwhelmed by the number of attendees, but sources say he was overheard asking delegates for the location of the “precious stones”. 

Walking onstage with Dr Evil and Thanos to address conference attendees during a Q&A, Darth Vader said: “I’m delighted to be here and to learn more about deep sea mining because together, we can destroy the oceans!”

The three left the conference to the sound of The Imperial March from Star Wars, played on the kazoo, and laughter from the audience. 

Andrew Tobert, Greenpeace UK Oceans campaigner, said:
“Monetising the seabed might seem like a far-fetched, dastardly plan, but it’s worryingly real and the people trying to do it don’t wear obvious, villainous costumes. We have explored just 1% of the deep sea, on each visit discovering fascinating species found nowhere else on Earth – it’s one of our last untouched ecosystems. But it would be stripped bare by deep sea mining, causing irreversible damage to marine life. There’s no way it can be done sustainably. 

“Companies from Samsung to Renault have called for a moratorium on deep sea mining. And governments from Europe to the Pacific are doing the same. It’s no surprise when the proposals read less like a business plan and more like a masterplan for ecological destruction. Deep sea mining poses untold threats to our already plundered oceans. It’s got to be stopped before it starts.”

The International Seabed Authority will meet in July where it faces commercial pressure to allow deep sea mining to start. From July any deep sea mining company can submit an application to start mining despite the absence of any rules or regulations to govern it and, thanks to the invocation of a controversial loophole, governments are legally obliged to “consider” it. The Metals Company, one of the most prominent and determined deep sea mining companies in the race, has stated it will put in an application this year. 

Deep sea mining is a dangerous distraction from creating a truly green economy by profit-hungry companies wanting to make a quick buck. Vast areas of the deep ocean floor – one of the last untouched ecosystems on earth – would be stripped bare by deep sea mining, causing irreversible damage to marine life. 

The UK government is currently supporting research into deep sea mining having approved exploratory deep sea mining licences 10 years ago to UK Seabed Resources (UKSR). The UK now sponsors some of the largest areas for deep sea mining exploration, covering 133,000km2 of the Pacific Ocean, through UKSR. That’s an area larger than the size of England.

But the rest of the world is waking up to the significance of the threat from deep sea mining. As well as leading green tech companies calling for a pause, many governments are saying no to deep sea mining. Recent months have also seen Indigenous advocates reject deep sea mining, scientific warnings of the risks grow ever stronger, and the longest-standing and biggest corporate backer of the industry call it quits. And just this week Maersk announced it was jumping ship, selling its stake in The Metals Company, and becoming the latest big name to divest from deep sea mining.

Continue ReadingMay the 4th be with you: Darth Vader, Dr Evil and Thanos seek alliances at deep sea mining summit