LookDown

Stopping a disaster before it starts: seabed mining.

The mysterious and little-explored seabed is attracting keen interest in its mining resources, particularly due to the growing demand for metals necessary for the ecological transition. Belgium, through the company GSR, wishes to exploit minerals in the Pacific Ocean, which could become possible from 2025 if the AIFM adopts the mining code.

However, the seabed is home to fragile biodiversity, still largely unknown, which scientists are calling for to be protected by applying the precautionary principle, due to the potential impacts that mining could have on this biodiversity. The challenge for our generation is to reconcile the economy with respect for planetary limits, by integrating the preservation of ocean ecosystems into our vision of sustainable globalization.

Scientists are unanimous : the start of this exploitation must be stopped because the impacts on biodiversity, the climate, fisheries and human lives would be global and irreversible. Currently, 32 countries have positioned themselves for a moratorium. 36 major financial institutions called the States to stop this industry, just like the European Parliament and theIUCN did it. The fishing industry, but also of the international companies like Volvo, Samsung, Renault or Google, also have joined the moratorium.

To protect the abyss, we launched the LOOK DOWN Belgium campaign! Hundreds of young people are mobilizing so that Belgium joins the moratorium and finally adopts the precautionary principle.

Join our canal Telegram to collectively fight against the exploitation of the seabed.