The plenary session of European Parliament has approved by a large majority a resolution on the recent decision of Norway to move forward with underwater mining in its waters Arctic. Ecologists in Action considers that the decision of Norway puts this delicate ecosystem in check, because in addition to compromising the 280,000 km² demarcated for this destructive activity, the sediment clouds could move hundreds or thousands of kilometers, affecting the entire water column.
523 members of the European Parliament They voted in favor of the resolution. Only 34 voted against. The resolution expresses the Concern over opening of the Arctic to mining exploitationand calls on the European Commission and Member States to promote a international moratorium on underwater mininga few months before a key assembly is held at the International Seabed Authority, the body responsible for regulating this activity.
Ecologists in Action appreciates the support of the Spanish MEPs and asks the Spanish Government to heed the call of the European Parliamentwhich adds to those already carried out by the scientific community, hundreds of civil society organizations, the fishing sector and numerous companies in the energy, automobile or technological sectors, potential consumers of the minerals targeted by this activity.
What’s happening with Norway’s underwater mining in the Arctic?
Looking ahead to the assembly that will be held this summer in Kingston, Jamaica, the environmental organization demands that the Government decisively support the moratorium proposal that several States will carry out, and that it get involved at a diplomatic level by placing it among the priorities of the environmental agenda. Spanish international in 2024 move towards this goal.
“Although Spain is among the 24 States that have taken a step forward defending a moratorium“It is essential to improve coordination between ministries and for the Spanish delegation to be more forceful in favor of a worldwide moratorium in the next sessions of the ISA,” explained Joám Evans, spokesperson for Ecologistas en Acción.
Therefore, they demand leadership to prevent countries with an interest in this industry, such as Norwayforce the adoption of a mining code that would pave the way for the exploitation of vast areas of the oceans.
They remember that the underwater mining It is a red line that should not be crossed, as it is an activity with enormous potential impacts, which include the disruption of the largest carbon sink on the planet, the release of greenhouse gases, the toxic effects of sediment plumes in the chain trophic activity and the irreversible destruction of marine biodiversity, in many cases in little explored and very sensitive habitats, which host unique biological communities.