National Wildlife Federation’s Post

***Global Threats of Extractive Industries to Vertebrate Biodiversity*** In this study, Lamb and coworkers conducted a comprehensive assessment of the impact of extractive industries such as mining and quarrying on vertebrate biodiversity. They analyzed IUCN Red List threat assessments for all vertebrate species and found that approximately 8% (4,642 species) are threatened by mineral extraction. The risk is particularly pronounced in pan-tropical regions, with additional hotspots in northern South America, West Africa, and the Arctic. Freshwater species are disproportionately affected.

States are meeting for the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council in Kingston, Jamaica 🇯🇲 from March 18-29 to decide on the fate of deep-sea mining. This critical moment demands our collective action! ✊ Now is the time to raise our voices and demand change. Let's call for a moratorium on #DeepSeaMining at #ISA29. Together, we can send a powerful message: our ocean's protection must come before profit. ❌ Indigenous communities have voiced their opposition to #DeepSeaMining, highlighting the threat it poses to their sacred marine ecosystems, fisheries, and way of life. It's imperative that delegates at #ISA29 listen to these voices and prioritize ocean preservation: https://lnkd.in/efXfHsQJ 🔗 Find out about deep sea mining and how it effects biodiversity in the IUCN briefing below and follow the latest developments with the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) 's negotiations tracker: https://lnkd.in/eRKzENQt Let's unite for the ocean we love and ensure that decision-makers at #ISA29 hear our call loud and clear. #RiseUp4TheOcean

There is no upside to deep sea mining and plenty of enduring damage to be had. It’s astonishing that anyone would invest in this scheme. The optics are horrendous, the cost of operations and processing are well over six figures a day per vessel, the carbon burned to retrieve and process nodules will outpace any carbon savings, and more rational minds are developing batteries that are not reliant on rare earth minerals and can be recycled. Don’t be duped by the treasure hunter mentality of riches free for the taking. Let’s push forward with full protection for the high seas as a stabilizing measure. That means no mining or industrial fishing.

What is deep-sea mining and how could it affect marine #biodiversity and ecosystems?

Important to note the decision on #deepseamining adopted by consensus at #CMSCoP14 last month - encouraging to see the 133 Parties to the UN's Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) agree to a precautionary approach until we understand better the likely impact on migratory marine life such as #whales, #dolphins, #turtles, #sharks and #rays - see https://lnkd.in/dVxKqb3e - especially this paragraph: "Urges Parties not to engage in, or support, deep-seabed mineral exploitation activities until sufficient and robust scientific information has been obtained to ensure that deep-seabed mineral exploitation activities do not cause harmful effects to migratory species, their prey and their ecosystems;"

10000% agree with Liz here - there is no upside to deep sea mining that makes any sense. Zero - yet people continue to push. Yes they pushed with the mines we have now and are we really better off? People will go are you nuts we have computers which are now our lives and AI which will do what to humans? I mean that - in all seriousness. We are opening up a very dark path with technology moving to fast and our avarice with a greed for minerals. STOP the madness. We don't need 5000 more play stations. We need control of our on surface minerals. SLOW the roll out of every stupid iPhone, demand companies be accountable for recycling batteries. DO NOT harm the thing that gives us the air we breathe. How feeble minded are we as a species? Or maybe that is my own opinion and should be backed up by science. Hmmm see below

Open-cast mines, often scars on the landscape, can become thriving wildlife havens, according to a new primer in the journal Current Biology. It advocates for "progressive rehabilitation," where land restoration occurs simultaneously with mining, ensuring earlier natural regeneration. Key to this process is meticulous planning and preserving soil layers during excavation to maintain seeds and nutrients. Techniques like recreating natural features to combat erosion and using all extracted materials for reconstruction are also highlighted. Successfully rehabilitated lands can support agriculture, eco-tourism, and more, offering hope for revitalizing degraded environments. https://lnkd.in/eNSpGGVC Phys.org #Mining #NaturalResources #Metals #Sustainability #WildlifeConservation #Biodiversity #Environment #EnvironmentalRestoration #HabitatRehabilitation #CircularEconomy

#30daymapchallenge day 12: South America The Andean Cat primarily inhabits rocky, steep terrains in arid, sparsely vegetated regions of the high Andes above the tree line. It can also be found in scrub and steppe habitats in the Andean foothills of Central Argentina and the Patagonian steppe ecological region.   This species faces significant threats from habitat changes, loss, droughts, agricultural activities, oil and gas drilling, and mining operations.   Data: IUCN Red list, https://lnkd.in/eBHxT69i Natural Earth, https://lnkd.in/ec3fVJUq Living Atlas Hillshade Esri Imagery #biodiversitycrisis #andes #conservation #esri #esriireland

Voluntary Efforts to Increase Biodiversity in Mining Areas 🛠️🌍   The demand for critical raw materials is several times greater than today’s supply capacity. Producing it will require miners to invest more and dig faster. At the same time, mines are heeding their environmental impact, largely driven by legislation (with a primary focus on water quality).    However, a number of mines are going beyond what is required - voluntary efforts to increase biodiversity in areas of operation for example, a goal set out by our partner Boliden in the GoldenRAM project.   Monitoring and reporting of habitats and species are key to this goal, but there is currently no established method for evaluating biodiversity in connection with offsetting and restoration. Sentinel-2 image time series may play an important role here for species richness estimation in grasslands, complemented by in-situ data collected by botanists.   #Mining #EnvironmentalImpact #Biodiversity #Sustainability #Innovation #RawMaterials #GoldenRAM #Sentinel2 #BOLIDEN

🆕 United Nations body issues warning on ecological risks of #deepseamining "Member States of the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 12 to 17 February 2024 to address issues of critical importance in response to the global #biodiversity crisis to safeguard the future of migratory species. Following very intense and controversial discussions throughout the whole week, the Convention parties agreed not to engage in deep-sea mining activities until sufficient and robust scientific information has been obtained to ensure that no harmful effects to migratory species, their prey and their ecosystems are caused." 🗞 https://lnkd.in/eHW6W6VY via OceanCare 👏