Scarlett Shin '27
On December 5, 2023, Norwegian lawmakers agreed on a proposal to open deep-sea mining in the Arctic Ocean. The deal was initially presented in June; however, it had not gained adequate support until now.
The agreement suggests extracting seabed minerals from the Norwegian continental shelf. The continental shelf is rich in metals and minerals that could present new economic opportunities and ease the use of fossil fuels in the country. This deal will make Norway the leading country in commercial-scale deep-sea mining.
Due to its extensive gas and oil reserves, Norway has become one of the most prosperous countries in the world. However, they aim to move away from their reliance on fossil fuels and strive to create a profitable, more sustainable energy source.
On the contrary, environmental groups have warned Norwegian lawmakers not to approve this deal, as they say it will wreak havoc on the ecosystems in the area. The head of Greenpeace Norway, Frode Pleym, comments, “We do not know what consequences this will have for the ecosystems in the sea, for endangered species such as whales and seabirds, or for the fish stocks on which we base our livelihood.”
The head in charge of the project claims they will be cautious during the extraction, and the process will be slowly approved by the Norwegian parliament, step by step.
The bill has been amended and will be formally debated and voted on in the beginning of 2024.
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