Kirstie Jones-Williams, PhD’s Post

Blue carbon credits work like any other carbon credits that focus on restoration and growth of new plant life to assist the sequestration of carbon emissions from the ocean habitats. Sounds good. But it might not sound the same when economic value has been put on it. The speaker gave an example on the deep-sea mining where the exploitation of ocean floor is carried out to source for the precious minerals to be used in clean energy technologies. Damage to the seabed remains unknown, even though they claimed that only minimal disruption would happen. Of course, the intention to have blue carbon credits is good because it adds environmental responsibility to the company. However, it is extremely important to have standard in place to make sure the ocean-based carbon projects truly benefiting the environment but not just for the sake of economic gain or meeting carbon emissions requirement.

#Good News from Norway! 🇳🇴 Norway has announced a pause on its plans for deep-sea mining in the Arctic, marking a win for environmental conservation. 🐋💙 The decision comes amid growing concerns about the potential irreversible damage to marine ecosystems, which host unique biodiversity, much of it still unexplored. 🦐 Environmentalists, scientists, and organizations like Greenpeace and WWF have highlighted the need for more research—current data only covers 1% of the Arctic seabed. This pause is a crucial step toward protecting fragile marine life and habitats. 🌍🔬 While deep-sea mining is seen as a way to access critical minerals for the green energy transition, this decision acknowledges that sustainability and responsibility must come first. 🌟 Norway’s move offers hope for a more balanced approach to resource management!🌊 Let’s celebrate this progress and continue advocating for the planet! 🌏✨ #sustainability #oceanconservation #circulareconomy 

📢 Attention Policy Makers: Take Immediate Action to Cease Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP) in Papua New Guinea! 🌊 🌍 We, the concerned citizens of Papua New Guinea, are calling upon our esteemed policy makers to address the alarming issue of DSTP in our country. It is time to prioritize the protection of our marine environment and put an end to this destructive practice! 🚫 DSTP involves the dumping of mine tailings into the ocean, posing significant risks to our precious marine ecosystems. We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Simberi Gold Mine and Lihir Gold Mine, located in New Ireland, are contributing to this environmental catastrophe. Our oceans are home to diverse species, including the magnificent Morgado Square, which are in desperate need of our protection. 📚 We must acknowledge that our MPs express concerns about Japan dumping toxic waste in the ocean, yet they seem to overlook the devastating impact of DSTP in our own backyard. It is time to prioritize the well-being of our marine ecosystems and take immediate action to enforce stronger regulations. 💪 We demand that the PNG government: 1️⃣ Review and Strengthen Existing Legislation: Reevaluate the current PNG Acts governing mining operations, ensuring that they explicitly address the issue of DSTP. Implement stricter regulations and penalties for non-compliance to deter mining companies from engaging in this harmful practice. 2️⃣ Cease Deep Sea Tailings Placement: Declare an immediate halt to all DSTP activities in Papua New Guinea. We cannot afford to compromise the health of our oceans any longer. It is time to prioritize sustainable alternatives that do not harm our marine ecosystems. 3️⃣ Promote Responsible Mining Practices: Encourage mining companies, such as Simberi Gold Mine and Lihir Gold Mine, to adopt responsible waste management practices, including land-based tailings management. We must ensure that economic development does not come at the expense of our environment. 4️⃣ Increase Public Awareness: Launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the detrimental effects of DSTP and the importance of protecting our marine environment. By fostering a sense of responsibility and knowledge, we can mobilize collective action for change. 🌊 Our marine environment is a national treasure that sustains livelihoods and provides invaluable ecological services. We cannot afford to let DSTP continue to ravage our oceans and threaten the survival of our unique species. 🙏 We implore our policy makers to prioritize the protection of our marine ecosystems and take immediate action to cease DSTP in Papua New Guinea. Let's lead by example and show the world that we are committed to preserving our natural heritage for generations to come! Hubert Melake Founder & President Malas Foundation #StopDSTP #ProtectOurOceans #CeaseDSTP #ResponsibleMining #SaveMorgadoSquare #PapuaNewGuinea

🌍 **Mining and Deforestation: A Global Climate Concern** A recent study by the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, highlights the significant environmental cost of mining, having cleared nearly 16,785 km² of forest between 2000 and 2019. This deforestation, equivalent to the size of Kuwait, has released approximately 490 million tons of CO₂, comparable to annual emissions from countries like Brazil. Key findings reveal significant forest loss, particularly in biodiverse areas such as Indonesia, Brazil, and North America, further underscoring mining’s global environmental impact. Moreover, countries like Suriname and Guyana experienced high percentages of mining-related forest loss, indicating an urgent need for sustainable practices and conservation efforts. With mining contributing to atmospheric CO₂ increases and impairing climate stabilization, the study calls for immediate global action: enforcing stricter deforestation regulations, promoting ecosystem restoration, and supporting conservation initiatives like the UN's REDD+ program. Balancing resource demands with environmental preservation is crucial to combating climate change effectively. 🌿 #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Deforestation #MiningImpact #EnvironmentalConservation

Guiding Principle 2 of the United Nations "Resourcing the Energy Transition" report states: "The integrity of the planet, its environment, and biodiversity must be safeguarded." As we ramp up the extraction of critical minerals for the energy transition, we must ensure that environmental protection is at the forefront. This means responsible mining practices that prevent pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect ecosystems. Mining activities account for up to 7% of global deforestation. We can't combat climate change by harming the very ecosystems that sustain us. Support and advocate for mining practices that prioritize environmental stewardship, so that the energy transition is truly sustainable Read the full United Nations "Resourcing the Energy Transition" report here: https://lnkd.in/eHvNgw_8 #AMDCMedia #CriticalMinerals #GreenMinerals

Had a chat with Aktuell Hållbarhet the other week on our sustainability agenda and our commitment to make a net positive impact on biodiversity with each project from 2030. And not to forget, climate change is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity, and at the same time loss of biodiversity means a huge risk of accelerating the climate change. So we need deal with both crisis at the same time, accelerate the build- out of fossil-free electricity to tackle climate change, and do so in a way that is good for the nature. And of course, I mentioned the need for speed in the permitting process to get the electricity we need in Sweden, especially in the southern parts. https://lnkd.in/dF7F9rmX

🌍 Protecting Communities, Changing the Rules! 💪 At #COP29, Earthworks’ Executive Director Jennifer Krill spotlighted the dangers of mining on Indigenous lands—where over 50% of energy transition mineral projects are planned. These communities protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity yet face disproportionate harm from mining practices, including threats to their lands, waters, and cultural heritage. 🌊🌱 To create a just energy transition, we must prioritize Indigenous Peoples’ rights, community consent, and strong protections for human rights and the environment. Ditching harmful waste practices, improving recycling, and reforming outdated mining policies are essential to prevent repeating the injustices of the fossil fuel era. ✊💚 📰👉 https://lnkd.in/g4P8wzUU #MiningReform #JusticeForCommunities #SustainableFuture

"Mercury contamination in mining communities is a pressing environmental issue that demands immediate attention. We need to advocate for sustainable mining practices and stronger regulations to protect our ecosystems and the health of communities worldwide. #MercuryPollution #EnvironmentalProtection" #sustainablemining

The "green" energy transition is widely regarded as the solution to climate change. However, in many cases, transitional practices are causing environmental harm and human rights violations. In the Atacama Desert in the north of Chile, mineral extraction has caused water drainage, impacting the ancestral homeland of the Lickan Antay Indigenous Peoples. The loss of water has led to the loss of resources and has forced Indigenous Peoples to relocate. Indigenous activists are still seeking justice in this region. Cases like this make it important to address how we can ensure a transition that is truly clean and just. Read the full case study via Cultural Survival. #SIRGECoalition #JustTransition #IndigenousRights #IndigenousPeoples #FreePriorAndInformedConsent #Environment #EnvironmentalJustice #FPIC #HumanRights #Mining #MiningImpacts #Chile #CulturalSurvival

Rainforest Foundation Norway and AidEnvironment's new report takes a close look at the EV supply chain to uncover deforestation impacts and efforts by automakers to protect biodiversity. Why? Because one of the biggest challenges in our global fight against climate change is that energy transition requires mining for battery minerals... Which disproportionately impacts tropical rainforests... Which protect the climate. Deforestation causes about 10% of climate change, and forest loss is on the rise because of growing demand for battery minerals. https://lnkd.in/gDT_d29m