“Stop deep sea mining!”

This was the declaration that was echoed by presenters during a Greenpeace press conference held a today (July 22) at the AC Marriot Hotel in St Andrew.

With the world currently feeling the effects of climate change, environmentalist are warning that things will only get worse if practices such as deep sea mining are not stopped.

Arlo Hemphill, head of Greenpeace USA’s project on deep see mining, noted that deep sea mining is the recovery of mineral deposits from the deep ocean floor.

“It is basically the ocean equivalent of land-based mining,” Hemphill said.

During the press conference, it was noted that islands like Jamaica are particularly at risk due to deep sea mining.

“Deep sea mining will disrupt industries, the tourism and fishing industries will be affected if deep see mining isn’t stopped,” said Eleanor Terrelonge, founder and director of the Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council (JCCYC).

Dr Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, chief executive officer (CEO) at the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), pointed out that the fourth goal of Jamaica’s Vision 2030 plan is to have a healthy and natural environment. But, if practices such as deep sea mining should take place in the country’s waters, that would eliminate the chance of the country achieving that goal.

“We urge Jamaicans to join the call and stand in solidarity against deep sea mining.”

Mariama Williams, economist and climate change advocate described deep sea mining as a serious trend that will cause harm to both the climate and oceans.

“Deep sea mining is irreversible, we should be alarmed at what is happing to our oceans. We need to stop it and it needs to be banned,” she added.

Williams also disputed the argument behind deep sea mining, referring to it as being flawed and reckless.

“Other that Papua New Guinea, no other country has authorised deep sea mining in their national waters and it is not authorised in international waters,” Hemphill shared with his audience.