Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - September24, 2024 - Greenpeace International has warned that plans to open a vast area of the Arctic seabed for mining will cause irreversible harm to unique and vulnerable wildlife and habitats.

The environmental group is urging Norway, which plans to license mining companies to explore for seabed minerals for use in technology such as batteries and electronics, to halt its plans and support a moratorium on seabed mining as other countries have done.

The Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge, where plans to explore and mine for cobalt, copper, nickel, and rare earth metals, is made up of a diverse mix of seamounts, ridges, canyons, and hydrothermal vents that are 1,000-4,000 meters deep.

The area plays host to 12 species of marine mammals, including minke, humpback, fin and blue whales, orcas, narwals, white-beaked dolphins, and harp seals.

A vast biomass of phytoplankton is food for key fish species including herring, mackerel, and blue whiting, while the area is also important for seabirds.

Greenpeace is urging Norway to put its plans on hold and live up to commitments to manage its seas sustainably by 2025.

In the UK, Greenpeace is urging the new British Government to be more proactive in pushing its support for a moratorium on deep sea mining on the world stage.