Source: IPCC
The IPCC WGII Sixth Assessment Report published today has highlighted the risks posed by human activities in the deep-sea in the context of climate change.
“Climate-driven impacts further limit the resilience of deep-sea ecosystems to impacts from human activities” says the report (Chapter 3 on Oceans and Coastal Ecosystems and their Services – p96).
As we face up to climate change, it is vital that we ensure the protection of one of the world’s biggest carbon sinks: the deep ocean. Activities such as deep-sea mining could erode the climate-regulating functions of our oceans at a time when we should be striving to safeguard this fragile natural balance.
Read the full report here.