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Stop Deep Sea Mining Before It's Too Late: Join Yarakai's EarthCare Initiative
The deep ocean is not just a dark, mysterious abyss; it's a sanctuary teeming with biodiversity, a treasure chest of untapped scientific and medical potential, and a crucial ally in our fight against climate change. Yet, a looming menace—deep sea mining—threatens this fragile ecosystem. The clock is ticking, but there's still time to halt this industry in its tracks. That's why we at Yarakai's EarthCare Initiative are taking a stand, and we invite you to join us
The Imminent Threat
Deep-sea mining is the process of extracting poly-metallic nodules, which are potato-sized mineral clusters, from the ocean floor and transporting them to surface vessels. These nodules are rich in valuable elements like copper and lithium, which are highly sought after for various industrial applications.
Companies specialising in deep sea mining are lobbying governments for permission to descend thousands of meters beneath the ocean's surface to extract these nodules from the seabed. If greenlit, colossal machines, each heavier than a blue whale, will ravage these untouched marine environments. These activities could have serious and irreversible impacts on the natural world.
Despite the landmark achievement of the Global Oceans Treaty, the deep ocean's natural treasures are under immediate threat from deep sea mining. This industry is on the verge of exploiting the seabed for financial gain, putting at risk fragile marine ecosystems that have evolved over thousands of years.
The Environmental and Social Consequences
Deep sea mining poses a significant risk of releasing stored carbon from deep sea sediments, exacerbating the climate crisis. Moreover, it endangers the livelihoods, traditions, and spiritual connections of Pacific communities to the ocean. Contrary to industry claims that such risks are a necessary evil for energy transition, the reality is that massive machines tearing through the ocean floor are not a sustainable solution for our planet.
Scientists caution that such mining could inflict irreversible harm on deep ocean ecosystems and the marine species that inhabit them. Moreover, these activities could exacerbate the climate crisis by disrupting natural carbon storage processes.
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The 'Two-Year Rule': A Ticking Clock on Deep Sea Mining - A Yarakai EarthCare Alert
Imagine if we could rewind history to prevent offshore drilling and avert environmental disasters. That's the crossroads we're at with deep sea mining—a rare chance to prevent another extractive industry from wreaking havoc on our global oceans, much like fossil fuels have done to our climate
Have You Ever Heard of the 'Two-Year Rule'?
Chances are, you haven't. The "Two-Year Rule" is a lesser-known clause in the Law of the Sea, but it's a provision that the deep sea mining industry has cunningly used to pressure governments into permitting deep sea mining activities.
The Countdown Triggered by Nauru
Since 2001, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has granted 31 exploration licenses, but no mining permits have been issued yet. This could change soon due to a little-known legal provision triggered by Nauru two years ago. According to this sub-clause in the UN's Law of the Sea, the ISA had a two-year window to establish a comprehensive rulebook for commercial deep-sea mining operations.
If no rulebook is finalised within this period, mining activities can commence. This loophole expired on July 9, 2023 and no mining code has been agreed upon. Theoretically, mining applications could now be submitted.
This could force the ISA to approve Nauru's mining application, facilitated through a subsidiary of The Metals Company, a Canadian firm, even without established industry regulations.
Our Oceans Are Not For Sale
The world's oceans are a shared resource, not a commodity to be auctioned to the highest bidder. Imagine if we had the foresight to prevent offshore drilling at its inception; we have a similar opportunity now with deep sea mining. Governments stand at a crucial juncture: they can either make the ethical choice or venture down a perilous path that could have irreversible consequences.
The Yarakai’s EarthCare Initiative against Deep Sea Mining
The deep ocean is among the planet's most expansive, delicate, and vital ecosystems. Some governments have already expressed concerns, and others have advocated for a temporary halt or permanent ban on deep sea mining. These declarations must translate into decisive action to permanently prohibit this destructive industry.
Governments worldwide must strongly oppose deep sea mining. They must publicly denounce this emerging industry and enact measures to safeguard the deep ocean.
We are starting a petition to lobby the Australian government to take a strong stand against deep sea mining.
Join us in urging governments to halt deep sea mining before it commences. This is a tangible threat we can eliminate today.
