Environmental activists from Switzerland, Canada, and the UK have held a protest rally at COP29 against deep-sea mining and whaling, Report informs.
The rally was organized in the Green Zone of COP29 by the FINS initiative with support from international organizations, activists, photographers, and experts from different countries.
Participants expressed their deep concern about the Norwegian government's plans to begin natural resource development in their marine territories by granting licenses to local mining companies for deep-sea mining. This decision has caused widespread resonance, as many scientists worldwide are urgently calling for work to be suspended until scientific research can assess possible consequences.
The territory planned for mining is comparable to the size of the United Kingdom and will affect aquatic ecosystems far beyond Norwegian borders.
"We appeal to the Norwegian government to listen to more than 800 international scientists who have signed a petition against mining in Norwegian seas and to reconsider their plans. Additionally, we also call on Norway to stop whale hunting, which is unfortunately not only legalized but also subsidized by the state. Whale hunting quotas continue to rise; this year they have increased by more than 15% compared to 2023, and most of the meat goes to pet food production. We call on the international community to support our appeal to the Norwegian government and hope that the Norwegian people will pressure their leaders to protect unique marine ecosystems and end whale hunting," the activists' statement says.
PHOTO: Vugar Khanlarov