Global Call for Marine Conservation

At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, international leaders are uniting to advocate for enhanced marine protection. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider of Germany emphasizes the need for a 'precautionary pause' in deep-sea mining, a stance supported by around 30 countries.

This call comes amid discussions on pressing issues such as plastic pollution and the establishment of marine protected areas. France's President Macron urges swift action to safeguard oceans while Australia plans to declare 30% of its waters as 'highly protected' by 2030. Despite these commitments, Canadian firm The Metals Company intends to advance deep-sea mining, disregarding calls for a moratorium from the EU.

The conference aims to culminate in the 'Nice Action Plan,' consolidating countries' self-commitments to marine conservation. As nations grapple with the balance between resource extraction and environmental stewardship, the urgency for collaborative efforts to protect our oceans has never been more pronounced.