Greenpeace has today launched a new petition calling on the New Zealand Government to ban seabed mining from the waters of Aotearoa.
The petition calls on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to give New Zealand another world first, and ban the emerging industry that poses risks to the ocean and climate.
For years, iwi, environmentalists and communities in Aotearoa have been holding back the world’s first at-scale seabed mine from opening off the coast of Taranaki. They have fought to keep mining company Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) from getting access to the South Taranaki Bight – a blue whale, māui dolphin and blue penguin habitat.
Jessica Desmond, oceans campaigner at Greenpeace, says a legislative ban is needed to ensure the long term health of the ocean.
“TTR has been vying to access the South Taranaki seabed for years, where they want to suck up a 66 square kilometre area for thirty years,” she says.
“Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanuii, the trustees of Te Kaahui Rauru, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, Greenpeace and other concerned groups have been holding them off so far, but we need legislation to keep the door shut on them, and others like them who will come knocking.
“New Zealand is often seen as a beacon of environmental progress, and our Government should be the first to draw a firm line in the sand against this dangerous new industry.
“In doing this, they could set an example for the rest of the world, and keep the ocean safe from the huge risks posed by seabed mining.
“The ocean is under pressure like never before. We cannot protect it if we continue to find new ways to exploit it. Extractive industries have done so much damage to our blue planet, we must not repeat old mistakes in the hope of a different outcome.”
Signed earlier today and spread the word
There are no Maui Dolphin in the South Taranaki Bight according to DoC sightings and recent studies including sonar surveys. The whale sightings are near Farewell Spit, some hundred kms from Kupe platform where mining permit is according to NZPaM maps, they are transitory and weren’t there last time DoC did a survey. Blue penguins live onshore, can only dive a few metres (very shallow water near to shore) and are victims of predators and scavengers (including dogs) and human activities such as cars running them over and entrainment due to recreational fishing.
Nothing special more than ~15km out from shore in South Taranaki, just a vast underwater beach of sand.
Greenpeace studies? Nil. Someone takes your money, has not done any research themselves, misrepresents the facts. Sounds like a fraud to me. Modern day TV evangelist threatening you with going to hell if you don’t pay up.
70% of Earth is underwater and we are told sea levels are rising. So where are we going to get our resources from to build and put our windfarms to power our phones and electric cars?
Yes. You’re are on the money there. This is Greenpeace and opponents last line of defence knowing that the permits will ultimately be approved through the SC because TTR have put up the research and science to prove beyond all doubt the project is safe and the economic benefits are real. This country is so backward in looking forward it’s beyond belief.
Resouces are mentioned.
Since 1800 we have used close to 70% of the Non Renewable Natural Resources and they are being consumed at an all time record rate.
To expect BAU to continue is not only unrealistic but very misleading as to where we are traveling beyond 2021.
Windfarms and electric cars will not help us conserve precocious resources.
Electric cars are the current goto myth.
If we replaced the vehicle fleet with electric vehicles then we would have no electricity for the rest of the users, household, industry etc.
An electric car generally has approx a 100 Kilowatt battery so charging it for 10 hours on a 10 kilowatt outlet bring it up close to full charge. The range of an electric car is not great, part of that owing to their weight with a large battery.
If used for commuting the proverbial average e car may be charged say 3 times per week.
That is approximately 10 mega watts hours per year.
The DSIR looked at this years ago and ruled out electric vehicles.
But the myth continues parroted by many who have no clues except what they hear popularised.
We must reduce our fossil fuel thirst but also must reduce our energy consumption. Drastically.
Comments are closed.