<
https://theconversation.com/mining-the-depths-norways-deep-sea-exploitation-could-put-it-in-environmental-and-legal-murky-waters-220909>
"Norway has a reputation for environmental leadership, from championing
international biodiversity policies to its wilderness protection and ambitious
biodiversity regulations.
Now it is leading into another area, leveraging its long legacy of offshore oil
and gas production into developing deep-sea mining.
In January Norway became the first nation to open its continental shelf to
commercial deep-sea mineral exploration. The approved proposal opens the door
for “sustainable and responsible” exploration within an area of 281,000 square
kilometres, roughly the size of Italy.
But determining what constitutes sustainable and responsible deep-sea mining
could put Norway in murky legal waters by pushing the boundaries of several
international agreements to which it is a signatory. Beyond legal action,
Norwegian society, businesses and global politics will play a part in deciding
how this controversial industry develops. Other countries, such as Canada,
should take note.
While the current government of Canada opposes deep-sea mining and has issued a
domestic moratorium, there are Canadian companies lobbying for this industry to
open in international waters. But there are more than a few hurdles in the way
of a booming deep-sea mining industry — and for good reason."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
