Thread by @elleprovocateur

"Harvesting the oceans under the Blue Economy": "The #OECD suggests that the #ocean economy is likely to outpace the global economy in the next 15 years."

#GreatReset #NewDealForNature #DeepSeaMining

https://twitter.com/wef/status/1345040838771011584

Under guise of protecting #biodiversity:

"Framed as perhaps the last untapped, under-explored & under-exploited region in the world, the Pacific #Ocean is set to be a contested space for resources."

#WorldEconomicForum #SDGs

"The #BlueEconomy heralds a new race to carve up the Pacific, turning the Pacific Ocean, from surface to seafloor, into a crowded/contested space. Pacific state leaders are courted w/ economic gains that are a fraction of the value of the ocean resources that will be #extracted."

"The #indigenous view of the Pacific #Ocean is that it is our home and our source of life, one inherited from our ancestors who paid attention to the protection and conservation of ocean resources."

"...scientific research has revealed that deep seabed & hydrothermal vents make potentially critical contributions to both biodiversity & global climate regulation... these unique hydrothermal vents & habitats play a significant role in sequestering both methane & toxic sulphide"

"Scientists conclude that the life forms in these vents & seeps consume 90% of the released methane—considered 25x more potent than CO2-- & keep it from entering the atmosphere."

"These life forms are literally saving the planet."

"Even as researchers learn more about the deep sea habitats role in sustaining a healthy planet, these habitats are being threatened by a wide range of human activities, including deep sea #mining, bottom #trawling & #energy harvesting."

"In addition, the deep sea #mining industry has heavily promoted the need for these rare earth minerals for ironically, 'green' #technology."

"#SDG 14 is disturbingly quiet on deep sea minerals particularly in the area described as the common heritage of mankind... The UN #Ocean Conference in June 2017 highlighted seabed mining under a #BlueEconomy narrative w/ side events & voluntary commitments..."

"A review of SGD 14 raises significant questions on whether the existing & somewhat fragmented institutional structures & arrangements established under UNCLOS are still fit for purpose."

UN officially partnered w/ #WEF in 2019, thus, answer is unequivocal: NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE.

"...a review of model legislation, funded by the EU Commission, found that it focused more on ensuring a clear licensing regime & conditions favourable to #industry rather than [] sufficient environmental protection for #Pacific peoples & the #environment."

"Several Pacific island states have made applications on behalf of mining companies, including Nautilus Minerals, Deep Green & Chinese Oceans Minerals Resources Research & Development Association (COMRA), all without explicit consultation with their own people."

"There is a seemingly revolving door for governments acting as #agents for #industry interests, as is evident in the ISA."

#Oceans #DeepSeaMining #Biodiversity

"Consumer demand for electronic minerals such as copper, #lithium, rare earth minerals, #cobalt, & manganese nodules coupled with advances in technology & infrastructure is set to make the ocean floor the next frontier for #exploitation."

#GreatReset #GND

"The total area of seabed covered under #deepseamining (DSM) licenses is over 1.3 million sq. kms. At the time of writing, the ISA had issued 29 licenses, 22 of which are located in the #PacificOcean, 16 of them in the #Clarion Clipperton Zone, approx. 500 miles SE of #Hawaii."

"Scientists have discovered over 300 new species, 80% of which are endemic around vents... there would be immediate adverse impacts on ocean #ecosystem #health, species abundance & #biodiversity, with little or no recovery of biodiversity in mined sites."

"Many of the projected impacts on biodiversity & #species #extinction would likewise hurt communities. Pacific #communities in New Ireland & East New Britain in PNG are already experiencing negative impacts from exploratory #mining & drilling occurring 30 to 50 kms away."

"Villagers have reported increased frequency of dead fish washed up on shore, including a number of deep sea creatures #hot to the touch. The PNG Fisheries Authority warned that "vast areas could be #polluted..."

End of the thread.

Last point. The illusion of Indigenous inclusion/support. Recall #REDD:

"...it is so important for the principle of free, prior & informed consent for indigenous peoples & communities to be applied to deep sea mining..."

Source: 2030spotlight.org/en/book/1883/c…